Are Retail Stores Liable If a Customer Is Hurt?

Depending on the details of the case, a retail store might be liable if a customer is hurt. Commercial establishments are obligated to maintain a reasonably safe facility for their customers. If you or a loved one was injured in a retail store, a Fort Lauderdale personal injury lawyer can clarify whether you have a right to financial recovery. Retail stores are generally liable if a customer is hurt due to the store’s negligence.

Identifying negligence and its legal components can be challenging on your own. One way to understand your right to compensation is to review the details of your injury with a law firm in your area. Their familiarity with personal injury and negligence laws means they can clarify your rights and the store’s responsibility.

Compensation When a Retail Store Is Financially Liable for Your Injuries

Florida Statutes § 768.81 allows you to recover the following economic damages for a negligence-based accident:

• Past and future lost income
• Past and future medical expenses
• Damaged or lost personal property

The non-economic damages your lawyer will request include:

• Limiting disabilities
• Physical disfigurement
• Pain and suffering
• Mental anguish
• Emotional distress
• Loss of enjoyment of life

Your lawyer will assess your injuries and assign a fair value to your claim. They will also collect the bills and receipts that represent your economic damages and provide tangible evidence of your intangible damages.

Wrongful Death Compensation When a Retail Store Accident Leads to a Fatality

If a slip and fall or other accidental injury resulted in the loss of a loved one, a lawyer can prove your loved one’s demise constitutes wrongful death and request appropriate compensation. These damages typically include compensation for your loved one’s funeral, burial, or cremation costs.

Wrongful death damages can also include loss of financial support, household services, consortium, companionship, and guidance. Your lawyer will assess the value of your case and clarify which family members—typically the decedent’s parents, spouse, and children—can recover damages.

Commonly Reported Retail Store Accidents Caused by Negligence

Not every injury that occurs in a retail setting will entitle an injured customer to financial compensation. Examples of negligence-based accidents include:

• Strewn debris or unresolved spills
• Escalator and elevator accidents
• Loose or snaking cords and cables
• Wet, slippery, or sticky floors
• Shopping cart malfunctions
• Inadequate store lighting
• Falling shelving or debris

A personal injury lawyer can prove a retailer’s financial liability by identifying the elements of negligence. These include duty of care (the store’s responsibility), breach of duty (failure to meet their legal duty), causation (the link between negligence and injury), and damages (the accident’s financial consequences).

Common Injuries Reported by Injured Retail Customers in Florida

Depending on the accident you were involved in, the injuries you sustain in a retail accident can range from minor to severe. Some common injuries include:

• Broken or fractured bones
• Whiplash and concussion
• Traumatic brain injury (TBI)
• Back and spine injuries
• Facial and dental injuries
• Head and neck injuries
• Muscle strains and sprains

Your injuries can have short- and long-term physical consequences. Tracking your medical care and sticking to your treatment plan are important parts of your recovery. The costs of your medical care and lost wages can be recovered via a personal injury lawsuit.

A Law Firm Will Compile Evidence that Builds a Strong Case for Compensation

To prove negligence caused your accident, your lawyer will build a compelling case file that supports your right to compensation. Each case will vary, but evidence can include:

• First responder reports and medical records and bills that describe your injuries, including photos of your injuries that can help your legal team prove their severity.
• Photos of the accident scene, including smartphone and security photos.
• Tax records and pay stubs that document the monetary value of your lost income.
• Store and police reports can contain important information, including witness contact details, first impressions of the scene, and police and surveillance photos.
• Witness statements describing the accident scene before and after you were hurt. These statements can provide an impartial recollection of the accident from varying points of view.

Your legal team will obtain and organize your evidence. They will also present it to the retailer and their insurance provider on your behalf. Its weight and substance can help steer your case toward a fair settlement.

How a Personal Injury Lawyer Can Help You File an Effective Case

Recovering damages from a large retailer is a complex legal matter. One way to understand how personal injury cases work is to let a lawyer advise you. In addition to guiding you through each step of the process, they will:

• Thoroughly investigate your accident
• Locate and interview witnesses
• Establish a potential timeline for your case
• Gather physical evidence and documents
• Handle all case-related paperwork
• Communicate with all parties on your behalf
• Consult with relevant expert witnesses
• Negotiate fair compensation

After an accidental injury, you deserve time to focus on your recovery. When a lawyer represents you, they can handle all the moving parts of your case while you concentrate on getting better.

The Importance of Taking Immediate Action After an Accidental Injury

You generally have two years to file your personal injury or wrongful death lawsuit, according to Florida Statutes § 95.11. If your lawsuit is not filed on time, you could inadvertently relinquish the right to file it at all.

How long you have to file a personal injury claim in Florida could change depending on some of your case’s details. Your personal injury attorney can ensure you’re aware of the filing deadline that applies to your case.

Get a No-Cost, No-Obligation Case Review Today

If you or a loved one was injured in a commercial establishment, a member of our law firm will review your case for free. Our investigation will prove the negligence that led to your injuries and outline the steps we can take on your behalf when the retail store is liable for your injuries.

 At Chalik & Chalik Injury Lawyers, one of our team members will review your case for free. Contact our consultation team to get started today.