Typically when a person visits a department store they don’t expect to get injured while shopping. However, department store accidents are more common than people tend to realize. Shoppers may sustain devastating injuries if a store owner or employee does not maintain a safe environment for customers. One of the most dangerous times to shop at a department store is on Black Friday. On Black Friday, people shop for holiday gifts because great deals allow them to save a significant amount of money. However, huge crowds can be extremely dangerous as eager shoppers are trying to find the perfect gift for their loved ones. Catastrophic accidents and injuries may result. If you have been injured in a department store accident, contact an experienced Port St. Lucie Premises Liability Lawyer who can help you seek the justice you deserve and recover fair compensation for your damages.
What are the most common causes of a department store accident?
Department store accidents can happen for several reasons. However, the leading cause is negligence. Department stores owe their customers a certain duty of care. If store owners or employees fail to attend to dangerous conditions devastating accidents and injuries may result. Department store accident injuries can happen for several reasons including:
- Unsteady or poorly placed displays of merchandise
- Spills on the floor
- Torn or poorly placed carpets
- Defective elevators or escalators
- Poor parking lot conditions
- Broken merchandise on the floor
- Obstruction of aisles
- Inadequate lighting
- Inadequate security
If department stores neglect to remedy hazardous conditions on the premises significant injuries may occur. It is crucial for department stores to fix any dangerous conditions, especially on Black Friday as hundreds of shoppers fill the aisles. Black Friday is extremely chaotic and if hazardous conditions are ignored multiple accidents and injuries could occur.
What should I do after a department store accident?
Department store owners and employees have a responsibility to maintain a safe premise for their customers. If hazardous conditions are left unattended, serious injuries may result. In the unfortunate event, an individual is injured in a department store accident they should:
- Medical Attention. Injured individuals should seek immediate medical attention. Injured individuals need to be checked out and treated by medical professionals as some injuries have delayed effects or may not be visible. Victims should also keep medical records of their injuries.
- Accident Report. Victims should call 911 and file an accident report. This will help victims document the accident.
- Take photos or videos of the scene. Injured individuals should take photos or videos of the hazardous condition that led to their injuries.
- Contact Information. Victims should gather contact information from anyone who witnessed the incident. They may have captured the accident on their phone in a photo or video.
- Enlist the services of a qualified Port St. Lucie premises liability lawyer. Our firm can help you investigate and gather evidence to back your claim against a negligent party.
Individuals should be careful while shopping at department stores this Black Friday as tragic accidents and injuries could result due to negligence. If you were injured in a department store accident, don’t hesitate to reach out to one of our skilled and determined team members who can help you recover reasonable damages for your injuries. Our firm is ready to fight for you.
