You have probably heard many stories about someone slipping on ice in a store’s parking lot and winning millions in a lawsuit. Injury settlements of that magnitude are rare in such circumstances. Yet, a big win is possible if the incident results in disability or a catastrophic injury.
Retail establishments like supermarkets, department stores and even quaint little antique shops often pose several potentially severe injury hazards. Consumers need to know about these hazards and how to obtain compensation if an injury occurs.
Merchandise and displays
When unsecured, marketing displays, merchandise and even light fixtures can fall on and injure customers. As before, the establishment owner must ensure the staff installs displays and arranges merchandise securely and safely.
Heavy foot traffic
An extravaganza at your favorite store usually means extra work navigating the premise due to the flood of consumers looking for a deal. It is not uncommon for someone to suffer a bad fall or even take a blow to the head in shops with a crowd of moving bodies. Again, the store owner should take steps to minimize the extra injury hazards during special events.
Floor hazards
Slips, trips and falls are among the leading causes of retail store consumer injuries. If employees fail to remove debris from walkways, clean up spills and repair frayed carpeting, it places customers at risk of a fall and possibly serious injuries.
Your options
The element that links the situations discussed above is negligence. In each example, the retail establishment negligently failed to address a dangerous condition. Filing a premises liability claim is typically the best way to obtain financial compensation for injuries suffered at a store or shop. To get started, learn more about premises liability claims under Connecticut law.