Injuries could happen whenever you go to a store to browse or purchase goods. Store injuries tend to happen without warning and can be serious enough for medical treatment and hospitalization. In many cases, these sorts of injuries are caused by accidents that were avoidable if the store management or staff had been more careful.
Medical treatment and lost income due to the recovery process can be an expensive burden, but you are entitled to seek compensation through a personal injury claim if the accident was caused by negligence on part of the store management.
What Is a Personal Injury Claim?
Typically common accidents which cause store injuries include:
- Slip and fall or trip and fall accidents;
- Falling objects;
- Faulty or broken equipment, including electrical faults.
Slip and fall-type injuries are probably the most common of all store injuries. They are typically caused by slippery floor surfaces in the store. These hazards should be quickly addressed by the store’s management and staff as leaving the hazard in place is most likely going to end up in an accident happening.
If this sort of negligence can be proven by the accident victim, then a personal injury claim may be filed against the store company or its management. The claim is for both economic damages – the cost of medical treatment and lost income, as well as non-economic damages such as compensation for the pain and suffering experienced.
Is The Store At Fault For My Injury?
The store could be liable for the injury at the store if it can be proven that negligence was involved. It is vital that there is evidence provided to show that negligence caused the accident and that the accident caused your injury.
Examples of negligence are when the store management was aware of a hazard that could cause an accident but failed to do anything about it or at least ensure that customers were aware of a potential danger. It would be hard for a claim to succeed if store management was unaware of the hazard, especially if it had only just happened, or if the customer did not take sufficient care when aware of a hazard in the store that could affect them.
What to Do If Hurt At A Slip and Fall At A Store
Even in a slight accident, you should ensure you get medical attention. A doctor’s assessment will be needed if you intend to file a PI claim. While waiting for help after your injury there are things you can do to collect evidence of negligence. Statements from other customers or even staff may confirm your complaint. Photos taken of the hazard and your injury will help. Take note of any security cameras in that part of the store as evidence from video footage taken can be requested by your lawyer.
Once you seek medical attention, keep records of any diagnosis and copies of any invoices. These can help support your claim.
Initially, you should file your claim with the store’s insurer setting out why you are claiming compensation and providing evidence of negligence, your injury’s seriousness, and confirmation of the damages sought.
Speak With a Personal Injury Lawyer
Personal injury claims for store injuries can be hard to win without professional legal help. It is advisable to hire a personal injury lawyer before filing your claim or if the store’s insurer is playing hardball or offering too little compensation. Fill out a Free Case Evaluation today to get in touch with an independent, participating attorney who subscribes to the website.
