So you or someone you know has suffered a slip-and-fall incident in a retail store but are unaware of what you should do following the incident. Slip-and-falls may cause bruising, shame, and most victims are ready to put the accident behind them. Slip-and-falls are often seen as humorous jokes when a bystander witnesses them so no one takes it as serious, or there are other individuals who use a slip-and-fall as an opportunity to scam the legal system. No matter the stigma of slip-and-fall accidents, do not let it discourage you from taking legal action.
Slip-and-fall accidents are more common than you think, so you are not alone.
A store owner is responsible for keeping their property safe or to create walkways that are as safe as possible, remember that you have not done anything wrong—the sore owners had an obligation that they did not honor. While a slip-and-fall is very traumatic, not all cases are strong enough to fight. You must be sure that your case is strong enough to pursue a personal injury or premise liability claim. This is why you should speak with a personal injury attorney as soon as possible.
In order for a store or the store owner to be seen as liable for the incident there must have been some lack of care on their part. For instance, in the event that you are walking on a clear path and slip on your shoestring, this is not the fault of a retail store owner. This was your own negligence that led to injury or harm, it would be almost impossible to hold the store accountable. On the other hand, if you fall because there was a hurricane and employees failed to clear the entryway for customers, there may be fault here.
A store can be seen liable for a customer’s slip-and-fall injuries if there are:
- Liquid spills on the ground with or without signs
- Trash or debris blocking designated walk areas
- Uneven flooring on the premises
- Slippery or torn floor mats in or around the facility
- Exposed cords that can trip a visitor
- Dim areas that lack proper lighting, and so much more.
So long as these four factors are covered in a slip-and-fall incident, the store owner may be seen as responsible without question:
- The store owner had a duty to keep the victim safe in their facility.
- That duty was breached
- That breached caused a possible injury to the victim.
In the event that you or someone you know is a victim of a slip-and-fall, contact the best personal injury lawyer in Atlanta, GA as soon as possible to see what your options are.
Thanks to Andrew R. Lynch, P.C. for their insight into personal injury claims and slip and fall accidents.