As December presses on, holiday shoppers flood retail stores in search of the perfect gift for their friends or family members. Even with the influx of holiday shoppers, retailers are still obligated to provide safe shopping environments for their customers. This means the sales floor, dressing rooms, and bathrooms should be free from hazards such as torn carpets, poor lighting, and spills.
If you were injured in a slip and fall accident in a retail store or mall, can you hold the retailer responsible for your injury? Yes, it is possible to hold the retailer responsible for your injury, but to do so; you must prove the store owner should have been aware of the condition that caused you to fall. If the owner was aware of the condition and failed to address the fixes needed, they could be held liable for your injuries.
Common causes of slip and fall accidents in retail spaces:
- Food and spilled drinks: holiday shoppers on the go often grab some coffee for a quick energy boost or even a quick snack only to accidentally drop these food items as they’re trying to juggle carrying their drink with their shopping. Retailers have a responsibility to monitor the sales floor regularly and address any spilled food items.
- Overstock boxes: Stock can seem like it’s flying off the shelves during the holidays. To provide customers with the items they want, retailers often stock during business hours. Empty boxes all over the floor can be a tripping hazard.
- Snow, rain, and mud: During winter months, customers often come into stores and bring snow, mud and water from rain into the store. It is a retailer’s responsibility to have mats at the front of the store to allow customers to dry their shoes off before continuing in. Additionally, including signage that cautions consumers about wet floors is also one way retailers can maintain safe environments for their shoppers.
At Samster Konkel & Safran, we understand how frustrating it can feel to suffer an injury while shopping during the holidays. Proving liability in your personal injury case can be difficult, especially if you are going up against a popular retail establishment who likely employs skilled attorneys. For this reason, we urge you to retain an experienced Milwaukee personal injury lawyer to represent you.
Contact us today to schedule a consultation.
