Dollar stores are a type of discount store found all over the U.S. It sells cheap goods but tends to cut its costs down by employing only a minimum number of employees. That means that it is always possible that hazards in the store don’t necessarily get attended to as soon as they should.
If you trip over objects on the store floor, or slip on something that has spilled on to the ground then you could have a nasty fall and hurt yourself. Injuries could range from very minor scratches and bruises right through to head and spinal injuries.
If the accident happened as the result of poor management, then this could count as negligence and you have a good chance of obtaining compensation if you file a personal injury claim against the dollar store. You may find that a personal injury attorney can provide advice and negotiate with the company on your behalf.
How Soon You Should Settle?
If you have an accident in a public place, you have the best chance of proving that the store management was at fault if you are able to get statements from anyone who was nearby and saw what happened. Most people forget events like accidents quite quickly so the sooner you start preparing a claim the better as you may have to rely on those other customers.
Even if you are able to file a claim quite quickly after an injury, you shouldn’t expect a speedy settlement. Insurers who provide liability insurance for large chains will carefully inspect every claim and whether there is supporting evidence and other documentation. The whole process could take several weeks, but more likely months, especially if you have asked for a substantial payment.
Why You Should Take Your Time to Settle
You are sensible to start preparing a claim for personal injury as soon as you can, but that doesn’t mean you should be hasty. A good claim needs thorough preparation if it is going to have a chance of convincing an insurer that their client was liable for your injuries. The main items to submit with your claim are:
- evidence that shows that someone at the dollar store was responsible through their mismanagement or negligence for your injury;
- proof of medical costs claimed;
- proof of lost earnings claimed;
- proof of any extra costs that arose because of your injury, such as special equipment, ambulance services, alternative transport, etc.
- a doctor’s report as well as any other evidence of your injury severity from another medical provider.
- justification of the pain and suffering payment sought.
How a Lawyer Can Help
An experienced personal attorney can provide useful legal advice, help you prepare documentation that will be submitted with your claim and negotiate skillfully on your behalf for an early settlement. To speak with an experienced lawyer, complete the Free Case Evaluation on this page.
*Disclaimer: The content of this article serves only to provide information and should not be construed as legal advice. If you file a claim against Family Dollar, or any other party, you may not be entitled to any compensation.
