Slip and Fall in Stores

 Slip and fall accidents are common and can happen anywhere. During the busy holiday shopping season, customers can be at risk of serious injury if steps are not taken to ensure their safety. Wet or slippery floors and cluttered store aisles can present a hazard that can lead to a slip or trip and fall. A nasty fall can result in a broken arm, a head injury, or worse. In many cases, the injured party may have a valid personal injury claim against the business.

Owner Responsibility for Inside

Any store that is open to the public has a legal responsibility to keep their customers and associates reasonably safe. Obviously, a larger store has more safety items to keep track of than a smaller one. But they all need to take similar precautions.

Slip and fall prevention should be a priority for every store. Keeping aisles clear from debris like broken glass is a good first step. Floors should be swept regularly and checked for other hazards. All spills should be wiped up promptly, and after floors are mopped, they should always be thoroughly dried. Warning signs should be used around these areas as well.

Adequate lighting is also important, since poor visibility can lead to an accident. A customer could easily trip over a table, a floor mat, or another item that they could not see.

Owner Responsibility for Outside

Proper lighting is needed outside of the premises, too; a poorly-lit parking lot and walkway attracts slips and falls. An unsuspecting customer or vendor might not see another car backing out of a parking spot, cracked surfaces, large debris, or other items in the dark.

Keeping sidewalks and lots cleared from leaves, ice and snow, will also keep everyone safer.

Report Accidents Immediately

Anyone that experiences a slip and fall at a store should speak up right away. The victim should try to remain at the accident site and ask an employee or someone nearby to get help. In the best-case scenario, a store manager will assist with getting any medical help, if needed.

One of the most important things for the victim to do is to fill out an incident report. This documentation must be completed before leaving the premises, as it will help with future claims processing.

Follow-Up with a Doctor

Even if the fall was not serious, injuries can show up later. After leaving the business property, the next step is to contact a physician.

If the injury is apparent, taking an ambulance to an emergency room may be advisable. It is better to err on the side of caution, rather than risk serious complications afterwards.

Proving Liability

Some customers may be responsible their own slip and fall injuries, but stores can also be held liable in certain situations. If there were evidently unsafe conditions, like a wet floor with no warning signs, this could help determine a case.

The store must take reasonable action to prevent accidents, and the customer needs to prove otherwise to make a claim. The victim must also have proof of injuries from the slip and fall in the store.

Philadelphia Injury Lawyers at Freedman & Lorry, P.C. Handle Slip and Fall Cases

If you have suffered a slip and fall due to unsafe conditions at a store, we can help. You should not have to suffer because of a business owner’s negligence. Contact a Philadelphia injury lawyer at Freedman & Lorry, P.C. by calling 888-999-1962, or contact us online for a free, confidential consultation. We serve clients across Pennsylvania from our offices in Philadelphia. We also serve clients in New Jersey and North Carolina from our offices in Cherry Hill and Pinehurst.