“I slipped and fell while shopping at a Bluemercury store (or any other retail store): What next?”
A slip and fall can be a serious accident. According to the WHO, falling accidents are actually the second-leading cause of unintentional injury deaths globally.
That’s why retail store owners have a legal duty to guard against such accidents. If you were hurt in a slip and fall at Bluemercury or any other retail store, you may be able to seek monetary compensation for your lost wages, medical bills, pain and suffering, and more. This is an option if you can prove your accident resulted from ownership’s negligence.
Keep reading to learn about filing a slip and fall claim. If you do plan to take legal action, consider hiring a slip and fall lawyer. Doing so may strengthen your case.
Responsibilities of Retail Stores
Premises liability laws state that the owners of Bluemercury and any other retail store have certain duties in regard to the safety of employees and customers. To a reasonable degree, owners of these stores must attempt to prevent slip and falls and other such accidents. They may do so by:
- Monitoring for hazards and addressing them promptly
- Adhering to maintenance and upkeep standards
- Training employees properly
Some retail store owners don’t take these steps. Perhaps you’ve been hurt in a slip and fall while shopping at Blue Mercury (or another such retail store) as a result of their negligence.
Understanding Slip and Fall Accidents
“Slip and fall” is a common personal injury term used to describe a certain type of accident that may lead to a premises liability claim. A slip and fall is simply any type of accident in which a victim falls to the ground as a result of slipping on a hazard or tripping over an obstruction.
Slip and falls may be relatively common. According to the CDC, emergency departments in the U.S. treat millions of people for injuries sustained in falling accidents every year.
Causes of Slip and Fall Accidents
A slip and fall at a Bluemercury store or any other retail store can occur because these stores may contain many potential hazards. Conditions and risk factors that could cause a slip and fall at a retail store include:
- Spills that haven’t been cleaned up
- Mopped floors without “wet floor” caution signage
- Inadequate lighting that prevents guests from seeing outdoor obstructions and hazards
- Loose flooring that hasn’t been replaced
Consider speaking with a personal injury attorney if you’re hurt in a slip and fall at Bluemercury, or any other retail store. They can review the cause of your accident and explain whether it appears negligence was a factor. An injury lawyer could also help you seek compensation if your injuries did result from negligence.
Immediate Actions After a Slip and Fall
Taking certain steps in the immediate aftermath of a slip and fall at a retail store may improve your chances of securing financial compensation. Steps you should take include:
- Seek medical care: This is most important. Be aware that you might not always notice the symptoms of a slip and fall injury right away. For example, the symptoms of a concussion may not be noticeable until hours or even days later. You must see a doctor the day of your accident, even if you don’t think you have any injuries.
- Report the accident: When reporting the accident to the store manager, don’t tell them you’re fine or that you don’t think you’re injured. Nor should you say anything at all to suggest you were partially to blame for the accident. Instead, simply ask someone to direct you to the manager so you can create an incident report. Make sure this report is created that day.
- Gather evidence: Gathering evidence at the scene of the accident right away is also important. If you can, take pictures of the accident scene and get the names and contact information of witnesses before leaving to seek medical care. If you need medical assistance right away, contact a friend or family member and ask if they can gather evidence for you.
You can seek compensation by filing a slip and fall claim with the insurance of store ownership. Before doing so, you may want to meet with a lawyer. Their representation could improve your chances of arriving at a fair settlement.
How to Prove an Injury Claim
Premises liability laws don’t require the owners of Bluemercury or another retail store to prevent all accidents. Sometimes, accidents occur even when ownership is responsible and cautious.
To show you deserve compensation, you must show your accident resulted from unreasonable negligence. That means proving one of the following:
- The store’s owners or employees created the unsafe condition that caused your slip and fall.
- The store’s owners or employees knew about the condition that caused your accident (or should have known about it by the time your accident occurred) and failed to address it in a timely manner.
The Importance of Legal Assistance
Proving negligence may require gathering and presenting evidence after an investigation. A firm offering legal help for slip and fall cases can investigate the incident on your behalf.
Other ways a slip and fall attorney may help include:
- Estimating your claim’s potential value
- Gathering documentation of your medical bills, lost wages, etc.
- Completing and submitting your slip and fall claim paperwork
- Negotiating
An insurance company may lowball you when you file a claim. If this happens, it’s important to have representation from qualified personal injury lawyers who can fight for a proper settlement.
Get Slip and Fall Help Today
If you’ve been injured while shopping at Bluemercury or any other retail store, your injuries may be the result of negligence on the part of the store’s owners. You deserve compensation if this is the case.
Large retail companies and insurance companies may be prepared to fight slip and fall claims. Hiring a personal injury lawyer is a smart way to protect your rights when facing down such companies. Get started today by taking our Free Case Evaluation to speak with a slip and fall attorney accepting cases in your area.
Additional Resources
*Disclaimer: This article provides information, not legal advice.
