Large chain stores are legally responsible for maintaining a safe environment for their
patrons. This is known as “premises liability.” It applies throughout the United States.
When a store fails to uphold this duty, and a slip/trip and fall occurs, it can be held liable
for injuries arising from their failure to comply with this obligation.
But, not all falls translate to a lawsuit. Understanding situations where a lawsuit might
be warranted is crucial.
For example, spills are a reality in retail stores. Proper signage and prompt cleaning are
crucial. You might have a case if you slip on a freshly mopped floor with no warning sign
in a store and injure yourself. Spilled food, drinks or cleaning products can create
treacherous surfaces. If you slip on a spilled oil puddle at your local store that should
have been cleaned up by staff, with resulting injuries to you, a lawsuit might be
appropriate. However, a business must have the opportunity to clean up a spill. So, if
the spill occurred shortly before your trip down the aisle and they had no notice there
was a hazard, that would negate your ability to file a winning lawsuit.
Also, worn steps, uneven railings or missing treads on stairs pose a significant danger.
In the case of a fall under those circumstances, seeking legal recourse would be the
right step.
Those welcome mats at stores like TJ Maxx can become a liability if they are worn out,
bunched up, or improperly secured. Sometimes the flooring surface does not meet
safety standards. A slip on one of these mats or such a flooring surface could be
grounds for legal action.
Dim lighting in areas within a store which obscure potential hazard might be another
reason for filing a lawsuit. This could also apply to restaurants.
Slip and falls also occur in homes. So, if you are injured due to a fall because of steps
that blend into the floor surrounding them, an oily substance on flooring, or uneven
steps not following code, you might have a lawsuit.
Contact a Slip and Fall Accident Lawyer
Premises liability law can be complex. Therefore, if you’ve been injured in a slip-and-fall,
consulting with a reliable legal team may be an excellent way to determine if you have a
case. Contact us for a free evaluation of your case. We have helped many other clients
get compensation for their loss.