Hurt in a Retail Store? Here’s How to Sue for Your Injuries

When you head to the store for groceries, home goods, clothes, or other items, you don’t think twice about your safety while shopping. Unfortunately, too many establishments do not provide a safe environment for people to shop.

If you’re in a store and get in an accident that wasn’t your fault, you shouldn’t have to struggle through your recovery alone. In fact, there’s a real possibility that someone else should pay for your medical bills, lost wages, medical expenses, pain and suffering, and other damages. The way injured people hold them accountable for their actions is through a premises liability lawsuit.

We’ve represented countless injured people in personal injury cases who were hurt in stores, so we understand the process of getting compensation for injuries that weren’t your fault. Keep reading to learn more.

Alabama Retail Store Injuries (Like Slip and Fall Accidents) Are More Common Than You Think

Getting hurt in a store is an all-too-common experience. There are countless dangerous conditions that innocent people can get hurt; injuries can be minor, or serious and life changing. Common premises liability issues include:

• Parking lots: Dangerous parking lots, including bad layout, uneven surfaces, a failure to address and remove dangerous objects, and more can cause injury.
• Head and body injuries: Falling objects, displays, racks, and other hazards can cause severe injuries to the head, back, and body.
• Slip and fall: Wet floors, improperly marked stairs, poorly lit parking lots, unreasonably slick paint or floor surfaces—these are all dangerous conditions that can cause severe injuries.
• Improperly marked floors and hazards: Property owners and managers have a duty to warn you about certain hazards. When they don’t mark stairs, wet floors, and other hazards, they can put customers like you at risk.
• Overcrowding: When stores don’t address crowding issues on their premises, people can suffer injuries.
• Negligent employees: When store employees misbehave, don’t pay attention to what they’re doing or the people around them, or are otherwise negligent, innocent shoppers can—and do—get seriously injured.

Our lawyers represent worked injured people who’ve suffered through no fault of their own after getting hurt due to these dangerous conditions. We know how devastating these injuries are, how to hold the property owner accountable, and how to get results that help people heal and move on.

RELATED: What Happens if You Get Hurt in a Store in Alabama?

Who Is Liable for Your Injuries?

In-store injuries can be complicated, simply because there are many people, companies, and parties who could be responsible for your injuries. The first step to getting the compensation you deserve is identifying who is at fault. This might include:

• A contractor who did shoddy work
• Reckless drivers in a parking lot
• A property manager, or property management company who did not keep their property up to safe standards
• A property owner who failed to address or warn you about a hazard
• An employee or store representative who acted irresponsibly

To file a successful slip and fall claim or lawsuit, you must be able to prove that the property owner, or someone else involved, failed to take the necessary steps to keep the store or property safe.

Understand (and Be Wary of) Alabama Contributory Negligence Laws

After a slip and fall accident or another in-store injury, the store manager might blame you for the accident. Under Alabama’s strict contributory negligence laws, if an injured person played a part in an accident, even just a little bit, they aren’t eligible for compensation. So, it’s in the retailer’s best interest to blame the victim.

For example, suppose you were using your cell phone while running an errand. Because you were texting, you didn’t notice a spill on the floor. You slip, fall, and injure your hip. The retailer might argue that if you had been paying attention, you would have noticed the hazard and avoided it. While a personal injury lawyer might be able to prove otherwise, many unrepresented victims will just give up in the face of victim blaming.

If someone is claiming that you were to blame for the slip and fall or other in-store accident, don’t admit fault, don’t apologize (which can be considered an admission of guilt), and contact an attorney as soon as you can.

If someone is claiming that you were to blame for the slip and fall or other in-store accident, don’t admit fault, don’t apologize (which can be considered an admission of guilt), and contact an attorney as soon as you can.

How to File an Injury Claim After Getting Hurt in a Store

Stores and other establishments must provide a safe shopping experience. When they fail to do so, they need to take responsibility for their negligence. Andy Citrin Injury Attorneys helps injured people get compensation and closure after an in-store accident by working with them to file a claim for compensation.

Here’s what that process is like and the steps you can take to protect yourself and your future.

Get Medical Attention

If you were hurt in a store and want to file a lawsuit, the most important thing you can do is protect your health by getting medical care. Even if your injury seems small, you’ll need proof of what happened to you. If you’re worried about how you’ll pay for medical care (especially if you need a lot of tests, or even surgery) remember, you can include these costs in your injury claim.

File an Incident Report With the Store Manager

Most stores should prompt you to fill out an incident report after an injury occurs. If they don’t offer, ask to speak to a store manager or store owner and complete this report. However, the store may use this as an opportunity to manipulate you or trick you into admitting the accident was your fault instead of taking accountability for the unsafe conditions.

In these situations, don’t admit that the accident was your fault and don’t apologize. Instead, stick to the facts when you give your statement. The store may ask you to sign the report, but be careful—sometimes, there is fine print that releases them from liability. When in doubt, don’t sign anything until you’ve talked to an attorney about your options.

Get Witness Contact Information

Many people who are hurt in stores, restaurants, or other establishments have people around them who witness the event and try to help. If there were people around you who saw what happened, ask for their name and contact information. It would also be helpful for them to write down what happened, so you have their testimony to support your case.

Preserve the Evidence

Photos can act as powerful evidence to support your lawsuit. If you’re able, take pictures of everything you can, including the scene of the accident, the store conditions, your injuries, and anything else that’s related to the injury. Afterwards, write down everything you can remember about what happened and call an attorney so they can help you preserve the security tapes if they exist.

Contact a Personal Injury Lawyer

The lawsuit or claims process is notoriously challenging for injured people and their families. If you or someone you love are ready to file a lawsuit, you need an attorney on your side who can help you win. Additionally, the Alabama statute of limitations is two years, meaning that you must file your insurance claim within this two-year period to have a chance at compensation. While you can file a claim at any point within this two-year period, it’s in your best interest to file as soon as you can, rather than waiting until this time limit is nearly up.

File Your Claim

Most people who are hurt in a retail store work with an attorney to file a claim with the store’s insurance company. If the insurance company doesn’t offer a fair amount, we help them file a lawsuit. However, you can file a lawsuit at any time within the statute of limitations. After you file your claim or suit, you can expect back and forth communications to understand the incident, evidence, and more before you come to an agreement.

If you’re not sure about your case, its value, or what to do next, don’t wait to call a lawyer for advice. At Andy Citrin Injury Attorneys, we offer everyone a free, confidential consultations where we learn your story and offer practical advice about what to do next. If you’re feeling confused or just want to talk to someone who’s been there before, please don’t hesitate to schedule time with our team today.

RELATED: Should I See a Doctor After a Slip and Fall in Mississippi?

Our Team of Personal Injury Attorneys Knows How to Handle In-Store Accident Claims

Our law firm’s team of personal injury attorneys has been winning for injured people in retail stores in Alabama and Mississippi for over 30 years. We know how to fight and win for you, and we’re not afraid to go up against big stores or national chains. Some of the people we’ve won for include:

• Randell, whose wife was injured on unmarked stairs
• John, after a store employee dropped a meat smoker on his shoulder
• Barbara, an elderly woman who suffered prolonged injuries after employees crashed a metal cart into her leg
• June, who fell on a slick, unsafe walkway outside of a restaurant

To learn more about how we fight and win for people like you every day, and for more information about how we can support you and your injury claim, please don’t hesitate to give us a call at  251-888-8888  or fill out our  online contact form.

Andy Citrin Injury Attorneys: Our Law Firm Is Ready to Support You After a Slip and Fall Accident

If you’re ready to get started, don’t wait to call our office. Our team of personal injury attorneys is ready to hear your story and offer legal advice on what to do next. These free case evaluations are always confidential and if you hire us, you don’t pay a dime unless we win for you.

To schedule your case review appointment, call us today at  251-888-8888  or fill out our  online contact form. We look forward to hearing from you!

The content provided here is for informational purposes only and should not be construed as legal advice on any subject.