Can I Sue for Slipping and Falling in a Store?

• August 18, 2022
• Strong Law
• Personal Injury

Are you wondering, “Can I sue for slipping and falling in a store?” If so, you’re in the right place.

If you fall and suffer an injury due to unsafe conditions, then it may be possible to hire attorneys for slip and fall injuries and file a legal claim.

Any public location that encourages people to come in, shop, and spend their money has a duty to those people to ensure they are safe while on the premises. If they do not adhere to this duty and you are injured, the store operator may be considered negligent. If negligence can be proven, then you have grounds to file a lawsuit.

Common Conditions That Result in Slip and Fall Accidents

A slip and fall accident can occur inside or outside a store. Some examples of dangerous conditions that may cause this type of accident include:

• Liquids left on the floor
• Frayed rugs or mats
• Clutter in store aisles
• Cracks or some other hazard in a parking lot
• Items that have fallen into the walking paths
• Improper lighting in stores, parking lots, or sidewalks
• Equipment like forklifts that are being operated inside a store

It’s important to note that these are just a few ways that an injury may occur and not a comprehensive list. If you want the legal right to sue a store after being involved in and injured by a slip and fall accident, you will need to have proof that the store was negligent in some way.

Unfortunately, this is not always easy to do. One reason for this is that most larger stores will have large legal teams defending these types of cases. If you want to file a lawsuit for the accident and injury you suffer, hiring an attorney is highly recommended. We provide legal representation for cases like this and can help you recover the compensation you deserve.

What You Need to Prove Liability and Negligence in a Slip and Fall Accident

If you want to prove a store is liable and negligent for your slip and fall accident and injury, it’s necessary to prove that there was a hazardous condition, like boxes or other hazards in walkways, or that the store management was aware of the hazardous condition but failed to fix it.

Another scenario may mean that someone (worker, customer, etc.) spilled something that could result in a slip and fall accident and it was reported to management. If they did not act to clean up the hazard and a slip and fall occurred, then this is the proof required to show liability and negligence.

Also, customers are expected to take certain steps and use “reasonable care” to ensure they protect themselves. This means if it is obvious that there is a hazard ahead, but the customer still slips, trips, or falls, they may not be successful if a lawsuit is filed.

With this information, it’s clear that being able to prove negligence is something that involves several different complicated factors. It’s another reason that you should hire a legal professional to help with your slip and fall case.

Steps to Take After a Slip and Fall Accident

Do you know what steps to take after this type of accident? If not, it’s a good idea to find out. After all, what you do, or don’t do, after this type of accident may impact your ability to file a lawsuit and recover compensation.

One of the first things to do after a slip and fall accident in a store is to get medical attention. Along with making sure you are okay, going to a doctor after falling is the initial step in making sure your injuries and the incident are recorded. Some other steps to take after this type of incident include:

• Figure out where you fell and the possible reasons you fell. If possible, take photos.
• Gather contact information from any witnesses who saw your fall so that you can have your attorney contact them down the road.
• Make sure to report the accident to the store manager and have the proper paperwork completed.

For individuals who believe they can file a slip and fall lawsuit, it is good to maintain a file with all the information about the slip and fall incident and resulting injuries. Along with records about your doctor visit, some of the other things to include in your file include:

• Written record of your pain on a day-to-day basis
• The impact of the accident and injuries on your “normal” day-to-day activities
• How often you must take medications like pain relievers due to the pain caused by the injuries.

Filing a Lawsuit After a Slip and Fall Accident

Once you have taken the steps above, it’s a good idea to get in touch with our legal team. Our attorneys have years of experience providing representation for slip and fall accident victims.

When you come to us with your claim, we will review the facts related to your case and the evidence that you have. At this point, we can determine if you have a viable claim. If so, our team can begin helping you with the proper forms to file a lawsuit. You will find that our legal team will work tirelessly to build a case and gather evidence to help you recover the compensation you deserve.

Contact Us Today for Help with Your Slip and Fall Lawsuit

At Strong Law Accident and Injury Attorneys, we are ready to help you with your slip and fall accident case. Contact us by calling (206) 741-1053 for more information and to set up a free, initial consultation. We are here to help you with your legal needs and ensure you have quality, aggressive representation for your case. Not all personal injury attorneys are created equal, but our attorneys and legal team have a history and reputation for helping our clients achieve successful outcomes.