Liability in Store Injury Lawsuits
At Chanfrau & Chanfrau, our premises liability attorneys hold companies accountable for injuries that their premises have caused. Injuries at stores and markets take many forms. Sometimes the retailer is liable, but not always.
Here, the Daytona Beach and Palm Coast, FL attorneys at our law firm review liability in store injuries and accidents. We’ll cover some of the basics, including who is legally liable in these accidents, the lawsuit process, and why it’s crucial to have a skilled lawyer on your side.
Causes of Store Injuries
In-store injuries have numerous causes, and can vary greatly from retailer to retailer depending on the nature of the establishment. Some of the most common causes of retail injuries include:
- Wet floors
- Debris on the floor
- Torn or uneven carpet
- Damaged stairs or elevators
- Exposed wiring
- Falling objects
- Obstructions in the aisle
- Sharp or jagged shelves/counters
- Poor or insufficient lighting
- Lack of warning signs
All of these hazards are of particular concern for the elderly and parents of small children.
Potential Injuries from Store Injuries
The injuries sustained from these kinds of accidents can vary as well. In less serious accidents, such as a minor slip and fall, a customer may only suffer cuts and bruises. More serious store injuries could result in broken bones, head trauma, and other catastrophic injuries.
Who Was at Fault for the Injury?
Determining fault in retail accidents can be tricky. All stores have a duty of care, which means that retailers need to do whatever they can within reason to keep their customers safe. This could be as simple as wiping up spills, placing warning signs where floors are wet, cordoning off restricted areas, and making sure aisles are free from objects and debris.
When a retailer fails to prevent hazardous conditions, they could be held liable for injuries on the premises. Yet a connection must be demonstrated between a breach of a retailer’s duty of care and the accident that occurred.
How Our Attorneys Hold Retailers Accountable
Establishing a link between negligence and an injury is not always straightforward, which is why you need skilled personal injury attorneys on your side.
The lawyers of Chanfrau & Chanfrau will review the evidence of your case to determine if the retailer acted negligently. Negligence includes a failure to act. Using the evidence available, we will demonstrate how the retailer’s failure to keep customers safe directly caused injuries.
Legal Compensation for Store Injuries
Damages are sought in accident cases to cover expenses caused by your injuries. Compensatory damages will cover medical bills, physical rehabilitation, lost wages, and diminished future earnings as a result of a lasting disability. In some cases, punitive damages may be awarded to punish the retailer for an egregious act of negligence.
Not all retail injury lawsuits go to trial, and many are settled outside of court. Our attorneys will help negotiate a fair settlement that accounts for the difficulties you’ve faced as a result of your injuries.
Learn More about Your Legal Options
Chanfrau & Chanfrau is here to help accident victims and their loved ones in the greater Daytona Beach area. To schedule a legal consultation, contact our team of attorneys online or call our offices at (386) 258-7313.