Millions of people all over Southern California venture into grocery stores and department stores on shopping trips but never consider the possibility they might suffer serious injury. Department store and supermarket accidents are far more common than many people realize. Serious injuries in stores may be caused by a slip, trip and fall accident, falling merchandise that is improperly stacked, and other types of hazards. Those who hold their business open to the public like a retail store have a legal obligation under California premises liability law to make the premises reasonably safe for patrons and/or to warn patrons regarding potential non-obvious hazards.
Important Issues Personal Injury Attorneys in California Investigate and Analyze
Our California personal injury attorneys understand the importance of a careful investigation of retail store accidents before critical evidence disappears, accident reports are conveniently misplaced, or essential witnesses disappear. There is often a wide variety of evidence that may be available to establish that store management or employees did not take sufficient care to protect patrons from injury. This evidence is essential to establish certain key liability issues, including the following:
- Procedures the store has in place for discovering unsafe conditions
- Store/company procedures for maintenance of bathrooms and other areas involving potential slip and fall hazards
- Training and supervision of employees and procedures for safe stacking and storage of merchandise
- The duration of time a potential hazardous condition has been present
- Knowledge of employees or reports by patrons regarding the hazard
- Extent of precautions taken to make a particular hazardous condition safe
Lawsuits involving accidents in supermarkets, shopping mall stores, and chain stores are typically very fact intensive. This means it is imperative that you work with an experienced California personal injury attorney that handles many such cases and conducts thorough investigations of the facts and circumstances of such accidents. Our law firm often uses industry experts who are in a position to testify about industry practices regarding safe flooring, proper maintenance, and safe procedures for storing and stacking merchandise.
Common Causes of Injuries to Shoppers in California Malls and Markets
While there are virtually an unlimited number of ways someone can be injured in a retail store accident, some common factors that cause injury include the following:
- Uneven or rippled carpet
- Floors that become slippery when wet
- Equipment that is not stored, maintained, or operated safely
- Inadequate lighting of walkways or stairs
- Poorly maintained stairways
- Unsafely stacked merchandise
- Pallets that are not properly secured
- Obstructions that block aisles and are not marked
- Products falling from shelves
- Pavement in parking lots or sidewalks that is uneven
Our California accident lawyers zealously represent those injured in grocery stores, department stores, warehouse stores, or other retail store, including but not limited to the following:
- Vons
- Sprouts Farmer’s Market
- Stater Bros.
- Smart & Final
- Pavillions
- Bristol Farms
- Whole Foods
- Ralphs
- Gelson’s
- Albertsons
- Trader Joe’s
- Fresh Choice Marketplace
- Neiman Marcus
- Macys
- JC Penny
- Sears
- Walmart
- Dillard’s
- Bloomingdale’s
- Neiman Marcus
- K-Mart
- Target
- Saks Fifth Avenue
- Kohl’s
- H&M
- Nordstrom
- Ross
- Marshalls
- Fashion Island Stores
- T.J. Maxx
- Big Lots
These companies have significant resources for litigation and handle many prospective lawsuits. Our California personal injury attorneys have the experience, resources, and skill to effectively litigate your retail store accident case and seek full compensation for your injuries, which may include lost income, hospital and medical expenses, disability and disfigurement, pain and suffering and other appropriate compensation.
Diligent Advocates for California Retail Store Accident Victims
Our California lawyers recognize the struggles that you may face if you or someone you love has been injured while shopping in a Southern California department store or supermarket. We provide tenacious presentation of the facts and legal issues as well as carefully crafted litigation strategies. Our California premises liability attorneys are available 24 hours a day/7 days a week. Because we bill clients exclusively on a contingency fee arrangement, you do not owe any attorney fees until we have obtained a recovery in your case. Our attorneys handle cases on a statewide basis across all of California. Our lawyers at Allen Flatt Ballidis & Leslie offer a free consultation so call us at 888-752-7474 to schedule your free consultation today!