If you have suffered injuries after falling during a trip to a store, please call a personal injury attorney who handles these types of claims. The claims are called slip-and-fall cases in personal injury law. Usually, these claims cover damages from any accidental falls that were a result of someone else’s negligence. You may be able to be compensated for lost wages, medical bills, pain and suffering, etc. If you have experienced this recently, you should consult with an attorney to determine if your claim is valid.
Because Walgreens sells a variety of items, there are many hazards which could present themselves, just as any other store. Merchandise could be on the floor, especially aerosol cans and other items that are cylindrical or round in shape. They can easily roll onto the floor. There could be water and/or soft drinks spilled on the floor. In addition, there may be small pieces of food that have been takes out of their packaging (chips, cereal, crumbs, etc) and placed on the floor. An associate may mop or clean a floor and neglect to put up warnings that it is slippery.
In the Walgreens Code of Business Conduct, which is distributed to employees when they are hired, there are paragraphs which refer to safety guidelines with regard to products, and with regard to an environment for employees, but there is no reference to guidelines which will maintain a safe environment for customers with regard to slip-and-fall.
Slip and Fall While Shopping – Potential Hazards
When you go out to shop, it is only normal to expect the premises to be safe and free from debris or risks. Walgreens, like any other store, has a responsibility to maintain clean and safe premises. Any dangers should be promptly addressed, and if these risks aren’t going to be taken care of right away, such as a repair that may take a few days, the area should be properly marked and roped off to protect visitors.
The store is responsible for all its premises, including inside the store and pharmacy, the parking lot, and any sidewalks. If there is a spill, or a wet area that has just been mopped, it should be indicated as such with a Wet Floor warning. If there is a risk because of cracked pavement in the parking lot, it should be indicated as such with a cone and/or rope to block that area off and prevent individuals from entering the danger zone and being hurt.
All places of business have a responsibility to maintain safe premises for its customers, and if they fail to do that, then they can be held liable for any damages that are suffered by visitors and customers because of their negligence. Remember, maintaining documentation to support your claim is essential. You should also check to see if a surveillance camera caught your slip and fall. The recording can be used in court to support your claim and to verify your allegations against the retailer.
Slip and Fall Scenarios
There are many ways that a slip and fall accident could happen at Walgreens, or any other store. There are literally dozens of different scenarios in which one could be injured. Here are a couple of scenarios in which a customer could be hurt because of a slip and fall that was caused by negligence.
You were walking when you were going down the laundry aisle and slipped and fell. A bottle of liquid laundry detergent had a hole poked in it and the detergent had leaked across the aisle.
You didn’t see the spill, and there was not a Wet Floor sign. You slipped and fell, landing on your back. You ended up with a back and neck injury. In this case, it is apparent that the store and its management breached their duty with the detergent that leaked onto the floor.
When you pulled into the parking lot, you jumped out of your car to head in to pick up your prescription. You make a few steps across the parking lot then you trip. You land face down on the pavement. You have several scrapes and bruises, and you have apparently broken your arm.
The parking lot should have been properly maintained, and if they were waiting on repairs, they should have posted a warning or set up a parking cone to warn customers. This, too, is an example of how the pharmacy chain was negligent.
Starting a Slip and Fall Claim
If you have suffered injuries in a slip and fall, you will want to get your claim underway. Every state has a statute of limitations, which is a time limit, to get your claim underway. This could be anywhere from 1 to 3 years after the accident. If you wait too long, and the time limit has expired, you will not be able to pursue damages through a personal injury claim.
Your first step in pursuing a personal injury claim should be consulting with a personal injury lawyer who handles accident injury claims in your state. Your personal injury attorneys understand the claims process, and your lawyer will work to build a claim based on negligence and show that all four elements of negligence apply to your specific situation and that the store should be held liable for your damages.
The first step to getting the claim underway is for your attorney to send a demand letter to the store telling that you are holding them responsible for what happened, specifying your damages, and then providing supporting evidence and documentation that indicates your damages and how much they total. Your lawyer will be able to determine the value of your claim and will work to build a convincing case.
When you enlist the help of a personal injury attorney, there are no requirements of payment before. Instead, personal injury lawyers work on a contingency basis, so you will not have to pay for their services until you are awarded a settlement or judgement for the claim. Often, legal fees may even be built into your settlement or judgement.
How To Settle Your Slip and Fall Claim
When you suffer injuries in a slip and fall, you will want to try to negotiate with the store and their insurance company so you can settle the claim without it going to court. This will save you time, and it will also save them time and money. When you provide enough evidence that shows the store is liable for your slip and fall, then they will most likely want to work to resolve the claim with you. When claims are negotiated, damages are calculated.
You, your attorney and the store's legal team will send settlement offers back and forth trying to resolve a settlement. Your attorney will send a settlement offer to the store, and then they will either accept the offer or counter it.
A personal injury lawyer will understand the process and has strong negotiations skills. Your attorney will work to ensure that you are treated fairly and that you get a fair settlement for your damages.
You shouldn’t try to resolve a claim on your own. Instead, consult with a personal injury attorney in your area who handles slip and fall claims. To get your claim underway, complete the Free Case Evaluation Form on this page to share the details of your case. An accident injury attorney who handles cases in your state will determine the best way to proceed with your slip and fall claim.
You should always contact an attorney if you wish to file a personal injury claim, especially if you are filing a claim against a large company. However, your claim is subject to what is called the Statute of Limitations. This says that your claim has a limited amount of time in which it can be filed in a court of law. If you do not file in this time period, you may be banned from filing in the future. Contacting an attorney as soon as possible is important.
*The content of this article serves only to provide information and should not be construed as legal advice. If you file a claim against Walgreens, or any other third party, you may not be entitled to any compensation.
