Though slip and fall injuries are somewhat common, it’s not always easy to know who is responsible for your injuries, how to get financial compensation, or what to do next. We know how difficult in-store injuries can be and are here to help.
In this article, we will cover the four most common slip and fall injury types, a store’s duty to maintain safe premises in Mobile, Alabama, and the next steps to take if you or a loved one need to file a claim.
4 Common Slip and Fall Accidents and the Injuries They Cause
With customers coming in and out all day, it’s not unusual for otherwise safe environments to accidentally become dangerous conditions for visitors. In more serious cases, a store’s management, property owner, or other party might intentionally ignore an issue (like bad lighting in a parking lot or unmarked stairs) putting shoppers at risk.
However, it’s the store’s responsibility to make sure the parking lot, store entrance, and store itself is safe for you, the customer.
Some common causes of slip and fall injuries include:
1. Slipping and Falling on Wet Floors
Uncleaned spills on the floor that are improperly marked or not marked at all, put shoppers at risk of slipping and falling. Stores have a responsibility to mark and remove spills, liquids, and other hazards. If they have not taken the necessary steps to reduce these risks, then they could be held responsible for your injuries, which often include fractures of the wrist and tailbone.
2. Parking Lot Accidents
Uneven ground, unmaintained pavement, or slick walkways that are not properly cared for can become dangers to customers. Many people suffer from soft tissue damage, sprains, strains, or fractures when they fall in dangerous parking lots.
It’s the store’s responsibility to make sure the parking lot, store entrance, and store itself is safe for you, the customer.
3. Slippery Floors
While waxing may help protect the flooring and keep the store looking nice, this practice can be a major risk for the safety of customers—especially when it’s done improperly. Other substances, like food grease, can also create a potential risk for slip and fall injuries, causing sprains, strains, and even fractures.
For instance, we helped June, who fell on a slick walkway outside of a well-known restaurant chain and broke her tailbone. Our team the restaurant’s revealed wrongdoing that led to the slick walkway, stood up to their legal team, and secured the financial compensation she deserved.
4. Employee Errors
While it’s not strictly a slip and fall accident, human error causes a significant number of in-store accidents. For instance, we have fought and won for people injured by store employees, including John, whose shoulder was crushed when an employee on a ladder dropped a smoker on him, or Barbara, who suffered injuries when grocery store employees crashed a metal cart into her leg.
RELATED: Hurt in a Retail Store? Here’s How to Sue for Your Injuries
What Comes Next? Filing Your Slip and Fall Injury Case
Hurt in a store? Here’s what else you can expect from your slip and fall claim.
File an Incident Report With the Store Manager
Stores will typically ask you to file an injury report immediately after your accident. Be cautious, as some stores may try to trick you or convince you that the accident was your fault instead of taking responsibility. If this is the case, don’t agree that it was your fault, and don’t apologize.
Be careful when signing the injury report they provide you. Even if you are sure to stick to the facts with your statement, there be some hidden fine print that can let them off the hook. That’s why we recommend you consult with a personal injury attorney before signing anything that could jeopardize your ability to collect financial compensation later.
Collect Witnesses Information
If there were any witnesses to your accident, ask for their name and contact information. Getting their story later will help your lawyer build your case.
Gather Evidence
After your accident, take pictures of the scene, your injury, the unsafe conditions, and anything else that seems important. Write down everything you can remember about the accident and contact a personal injury lawyer who can help you protect the store’s security footage before it’s deleted. And if you can’t take pictures at the scene because you’re too injured, that’s alright, too. If this is the case, don’t wait to call an attorney.
Go to the Doctor
If you were hurt in a store, you need medical attention. Protecting your health should be your number one priority and a doctor can help you address your injuries and make sure they heal correctly. They can also identify hidden, serious injuries before they get worse. However, your medical records also serve as important proof in the claims process. Worried about how to afford medical care? Remember, any medical expenses can be included in your injury claim.
Contact a Mobile Personal Injury Lawyer
After an in-store accident, your focus should be healing, not fighting with the insurance company for fair compensation. The Andy Citrin Injury Attorneys team have handled countless slip and fall claims and is ready to help you through the process of filing a claim for your slip and fall case.
If you have any questions about your personal injury claim, be sure to call Andy Citrin Injury Attorneys for answers. We offer no-cost, confidential consultations to learn more about your case and offer help on your next steps.
RELATED: 4 Things Insurance Companies Don’t Want You to Know About Slip and Fall Injuries
If you have any questions about your personal injury claim, be sure to call Andy Citrin Injury Attorneys for answers. We offer no-cost, confidential consultations to learn more about your case and offer help on your next steps.
Contact Andy Citrin Injury Attorneys After a Mobile Slip and Fall Injury
If you were hurt in a store through no fault of your own, you shouldn’t be stuck with the medical bills. The Andy Citrin team is ready to help with that. We know how to investigate all kinds of in-store accidents and personal injury cases, hold the companies and their legal teams accountable, and stand up for you to demand a fair settlement. And when the store won’t take responsibility for their actions, our slip and fall accident attorneys are prepared to take them to court. Our law office has a track record of success and we’re ready to win for you!
Ready to get started? Don’t hesitate to reach out to Andy Citrin Injury Attorneys with any questions, or to set up a free consultation. Our law firm is conveniently located on Dauphin Island Parkway near I-10; give us a call at 251-888-8888 or use the contact form on our website to get started.
The content provided here is for informational purposes only and should not be construed as legal advice on any subject.
Andy is the owner and CEO of Citrin Law Firm, P.C. He founded the firm in 1995 with the goal of helping injured people put their lives back together. His passion for protecting injured people has only grown since he opened the doors of Andy Citrin Injury Attorneys, and he has a history of winning numerous multimillion-dollar verdicts and settlements for his clients.