What Causes Accidents and Injuries at a Retail Store?

 Posted on January 21, 2020 in Blog Post

Making a quick trip to the grocery store or a favorite clothing retailer is something many people do on a weekly or even daily basis. Most shoppers do not expect to sustain an injury, but it happens more than one might think. There are various ways a customer can get hurt at a store, such as slipping and falling or having products fall on top of them. According to the Illinois Premises Liability Act, all property owners have a duty to provide a safe environment for their clients or customers. Premises liability is a legal term that involves personal injury cases that are caused by unsafe or defective conditions on another party’s property. If retail owners fail to take reasonable care, they may be held accountable for damages that occur in their establishment.

Unsafe Conditions

Under Illinois law, customers are considered “invitees” and therefore are entitled to a reasonable amount of care while on store property so they are not harmed. The areas where shoppers should be safe from undue harm include parking lots, restrooms, dressing rooms, and aisles/walkways. Retailers are responsible for routine maintenance and cleaning of their stores to make sure everything is in proper working order and free from debris or hazards.

The winters in Illinois can be severe. If sidewalks or parking areas are not plowed or salted after a snowstorm, pavement can become very icy and slick. This can lead to a dangerous slip and fall accident for patrons entering or leaving a store. Cluttered aisles can also cause customers to trip and hit their heads on metal racks or shelving units. In certain cases, if too much merchandise is stacked high on a display, shelves can break, sending items flying and landing on unsuspecting shoppers. Defective parts or improperly maintained equipment such as automatic doors, elevators, or escalators can lead to a person becoming caught in or crushed by them.

A few of the typical injuries a store customer can suffer include:

• Traumatic brain injury (TBI)
• Broken/fractured bones
• Cuts/bruises/sprains
• Back or neck damage

Proving Premises Liability

Regardless if you sustain a minor or a serious injury, a store patron may still be entitled to compensation. Depending on the circumstances, it can sometimes be difficult to prove premises liability in a retail accident. Taking photographs of the area where the mishap occurred and the injury itself can provide proof of hazardous conditions or faulty products.

In order to hold a retail owner responsible for damages, the injured party must show the following:

• A dangerous condition caused the injuries.
• The property owner knew of the dangerous condition or should have known.
• The retailer failed to repair the dangerous condition.
• The victim’s behavior or action did not contribute to the injury.
• The injuries and damages are real.

Contact a Des Plaines Personal Injury Attorney

You may think that shopping at your favorite store is a harmless activity. However, accidents can happen anywhere at any time, and in some cases, they may be caused by a negligent store owner. The Quinn Law Group, LLC understands how a significant injury can impact your ability to function on a daily basis and work for a living. If you were hurt in any way at a retail establishment, contact one of our dedicated Glenview premises liability lawyers as soon as possible. We will advocate for your rights to compensation so you can get on with your life. To schedule your free consultation, call our office today at 847-232-7180.

Source:

http://www.ilga.gov/legislation/ilcs/ilcs3.asp?ActID=2048&ChapterID=57