Slip and Fall in Retail Stores: What Are Your Rights?

Slip-and-fall accidents can happen anywhere, and they happen more often than you think, especially in malls, grocery stores, and downtown shopping areas. If these accidents occur, they can result in physical injuries and financial hardships, including lost wages, hospital bills, and other out-of-pocket costs.

You may be wondering what your rights are after a slip and fall in a retail store. At Fleschner, Stark, Tanoos & Newlin, a knowledgeable personal injury attorney can help you understand your options after an accident on unsafe premises.

Responsibilities of the Retail Store

Retail stores must follow rules and regulations to protect the rights and safety of all patrons on their premises, in part by preventing tripping or slipping accidents. This includes inspecting for hazards throughout the building and promptly addressing or warning customers about dangers by including signage for wet floors or staff intervention for poor lighting. Failure to comply with these responsibilities is a form of negligence.

What Are Your Rights?

If you or someone you love has suffered injuries from stumbling and falling in a retail store in Indiana, you can seek legal assistance to understand your rights. The comparative fault rule determines how much each party is responsible for in any personal injury case. If the injured person is less than 51% at fault, they may recover damages. However, if a court finds them to be 51% or more at fault, they are not eligible to recover any damages.

How to Hold Retailers Accountable

To establish whether the retail store is liable for your accident, you need proof. A lawyer can help you demonstrate that:

• You were lawfully present on the premises
• A dangerous condition existed, such as a lack of wet floor signage, broken tiles, or torn carpets
• The retailer knew, or should have known, about the hazard
• The hazard directly caused your fall and your resulting injuries

To build a strong slip-and-fall case and defend your rights, it helps to provide photo or video evidence of the dangerous condition at the store as well as the injuries you sustained. An incident report filed at the store the same day is beneficial. Collecting witness statements from other customers or employees who were in surrounding areas can also help strengthen the evidence and, ultimately, your case.

Call Us Today to Fight For Your Rights After a Retail Store Slip and Fall

Retail stores and their insurance companies may quickly deny fault for an accident by arguing that the customer was careless or the hazard was obvious enough to avoid. If you or a loved one has suffered harm from a slip and fall in a retail store, contact Fleschner, Stark, Tanoos & Newlin today to learn about your legal rights. Let our attorneys evaluate your civil claim, gather evidence, and fight for the monetary compensation you deserve.