Slip and Fall Accidents in Retail Stores in California

Slip and fall accidents are unfortunately a very common type of accident in retail stores. According to a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s recent report, slip, trip and fall accidents are the third most common cause of lost-workday injuries in retail establishments. When a slip and fall occurs, the accident can have a variety of detrimental consequences, including the loss of work time. These accidents can easily cause serious injuries, all of which can affect injured people in multiple ways.

Based on California’s personal injury laws, retail stores that open their doors to the public have a legal duty to maintain their property in a reasonably safe condition. When an unsafe condition of a retail establishment contributes to a slip and fall accident that results in injury, the injured person has the right to pursue an injury claim against the business for compensation.

Obtain the Compensation You Deserve With Proficient Legal Counsel

If you have been injured in a slip and fall accident, you may have legal grounds to pursue a personal injury claim against the retail business where the accident occurred. Whether the accident happened in a chain store, a grocer, a small independent liquor store or other types of retail business, you may be eligible for compensation after the incident.

A customer who is injured on the premises can pursue a claim against the business, but achieving a successful result is not always easy. For this reason, it is necessary to seek legal counsel from a well-versed attorney who has experience in handling these cases. A skilled attorney will pursue the highest amount of compensation.

Gary G. Goldberg, Attorney at Law is an established attorney with decades of experience handling the most complex and challenging slip and fall cases in Southern California. With his skills and experience, Mr. Goldberg is poised to handle difficult personal injury cases. When suffering a slip and fall accident, the injuries sustained in the accident can lead to monetary losses, long-lasting pain and emotional trauma. For reasons like these, Attorney Goldberg works tirelessly to ensure injured victims receive the monetary compensation they deserve. To schedule a complimentary initial consultation with Gary G. Goldberg, Attorney at Law, call (951) 788-8325 or complete the confidential contact form today.

Causes of Slip and Fall Accidents in Retail Stores

Retail stores often present a number of hazards and dangers that can potentially cause a slip and fall accident. While business owners are not obligated to keep their property free from every single danger, they do have a duty to reasonably maintain the property to be free from dangers. This duty includes placing warning signs and making a hazard safe when necessary. The following are hazards commonly found in most retail stores:

• Fallen objects or merchandise on aisles and walkways.
• Shelves that fall over as a result of improper stocking or weakened shelves.
• Recently waxed or mopped floors.
• Spilled food, drinks or other slippery substances.
• Poor lighting or lack thereof on walkways.
• Structural defects, like cracked flooring, torn carpet, uneven walkways or broken stairs.

Establishing Liability After a Retail Store Accident

When the retailer’s duty is breached, the retail store owner can be held accountable for the damages that are caused. To prove a breach of duty, it is necessary to establish that:

1. A hazardous condition existed;
2. The condition directly caused the accident and subsequent injury;
3. The store employees knew or should have known about the hazardous condition; and
4. The store failed to repair or remove the condition or provide a warning about it within a reasonable time.

One of the most challenging aspects of pursuing a claim after a slip and fall is proving that the retail store owner knew or should have known about the dangerous condition that caused the accident. Additionally, that an unreasonable amount of time passed between the owner’s learning of the dangerous condition (or reasonable ability to learn of it) and the accident itself. Regardless of how challenging slip and fall accident claims may be, these accidents may cause serious injuries that can affect a person for years to come.

Common Slip and Fall Accident Injuries

Many people underestimate the consequences of a slip and fall accident. When the accident occurs, victims often fail to recognize the extent of their injuries and this can lead to worsened medical conditions. Some of the most common types of injuries that occur as a result of slip and fall accidents include the following:

• Spinal cord injuries.
• Traumatic brain injuries.
• Neck injuries.
• Hip and other fractures.
• Arm, wrist and ankle injuries.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 1 out of every 5 falls in the United States leads to a serious injury. Slip and fall accidents are dangerous and, while they can lead to a number of injuries, the injuries can be even more devastating when the victim is an older adult. According to the agency, older adults are not only prone to more serious falls, but they also have an increased rate of injuries resulting in death after a slip and fall accident. When an accident results in death, the victim’s heirs can seek monetary compensation for their losses through a wrongful death claim.

Discuss Your Case With a Well-Versed Slip and Fall Accident Attorney

Slip and fall accidents happen regularly in retail stores across the nation. In an instant, these accidents can cause a complete upheaval in the lives of those injured. If you or someone you love was injured in a slip and fall accident while in a retail store, it is highly recommended that you obtain legal counsel from a well-versed personal injury attorney.

For nearly 40 years, Attorney Gary Goldberg has advocated on behalf of those injured as a result of another’s negligence or lack of care. Every year, slip and fall accidents lead to tens of thousands of injuries. When an accident occurs, the victims can be left with mounting medical expenses, loss of income, pain and suffering, emotional distress and more. For this reason, Attorney Goldberg works diligently to pursue the highest amount of compensation attainable. To schedule a free initial consultation with Gary G. Goldberg, Attorney at Law, call (951) 788-8325 today.