The well-known outdoorsmen stores are located in strategic places across the U.S. They are usually found in large cities as well as in places where there are a lot of outdoor activities, like in the Rocky Mountain states.
These stores sell all manner of outdoor goods including clothing, footwear, cycling equipment, camping equipment, skiing equipment and much more.
Sporting good stores always have a lot of interesting goods scattered all over the stores, sometimes on multiple floors. Store employees do have to keep an eye on these items and ensure that there are no slip or trip hazards. If they fail to deal with any of these hazards an injury is possible.
Potential Slip and Fall Scenarios
Accidents shouldn’t happen in a well run store, so if injuries do occur, it is quite possible that someone at the store was negligent, or the store itself allowed the accident to happen because of the way it was managed. Here are some examples of accident scenarios.
- Outdoor equipment that is not firmly attached to its display shelves or stands can fall into the path of a store user and cause an injury or fall on top of the customer causing injuries.
- Sporting good stores are often popular in winter, just as much as summer because of winter sports equipment. On bad days, weather can be snowy, icy or just plain wet and this can mean slippery store entrances unless employees are directed to clear the debris away properly.
- Some careless customers may drop their mess all over the floor as they walk around. They shouldn’t do it, but it does happen. Employees are normally on the look-out for trash on the floor that can cause trip accidents. If they ignore this sort of mess, then this might be grounds for a claim against REI, or any other store, if someone does get injured.
- Slippery floors can be a major cause of accidents in a store. When floors are cleaned, there should be a warning sign erected to warn customers. If this is not done, it could be considered negligence in a personal injury dispute.
Consult with a Personal Injury Attorney
An unexpected injury often leads to unwanted bills, especially for hospital and medical treatment as well as a loss of earnings if the injuries prevent an early return to work. This is what a personal injury lawsuit can help to resolve, as long as the accident was not the fault of the injured person.
If an accident happened inside a store, there must be convincing evidence that someone working at the store was negligent and that the negligence caused the injuries. State laws on liability for slip and fall accidents can be confusing, so it is advisable to seek the advice and help of an experienced personal injury attorney if legal action is considered.
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 REI, or any other party, you may not be entitled to any compensation.
