What to Do if I Slip and Fall at a Dollar Store?

If you slip and fall at a dollar store, these are the following steps you should take to ensure your health and possibly support your personal injury or premises liability claim:

• You should check for injuries and get immediate medical attention to address them.
• You should collect evidence while still inside the store by taking pictures of the area where you fell.
• You should ask witnesses for their contact information. 
• You should report the incident to the store and request a copy.

After you receive medical care, consider hiring a Fort Lauderdale slip and fall injury lawyer to help you seek compensation from the retailer and their insurance company. Proving your rights as the injured party and understanding the dollar store’s responsibilities can be challenging without legal support. A lawyer can explain what to do if you slip and fall at a dollar store during a free consultation and strategy session. 

Do You Need a Lawyer to Get Compensation for a Dollar Store Slip and Fall?

You are not required to have a lawyer, but having one could be beneficial to your injury claim. They can:

• Clarify Florida’s premises liability laws and their impact on your case
• Collect evidence that proves the store is financially liable for your fall
• Handle all verbal, written, and electronic communication on your behalf
• Assess the monetary value of your economic and non-economic damages
• Negotiate the best possible financial recovery for you and your family

Having a personal injury lawyer handle all the details of your case also means you can focus on getting better without losing time. It can also mean you have peace of mind that your case meets all the required legal parameters.

How Much Does It Cost to Hire a Lawyer to Sue the Dollar Store?

With most law firms, it will not cost you anything out of your own pocket—no retainers, hourly fees, or investigative costs—to hire a lawyer. Your lawyer will represent you on a contingency fee basis. They will cover all the costs of preparing your case and filing your insurance claim or lawsuit.

You will only compensate them if and when they recover damages for you. If you do not receive a financial award, you will not owe the law firm any legal or attorney’s fees at all. Hiring a lawyer is risk-free. 

The Sooner You Take Legal Action After a Slip and Fall Accident, the Better?

Most cases like yours will be resolved with an out-of-court insurance settlement. Even so, you should still file a personal injury lawsuit to protect your right to go to court if a fair settlement agreement cannot be reached. In Florida, you generally have two years to file a premises liability or wrongful death lawsuit, according to Florida Statutes § 95.11. 

If you do not file your lawsuit on time, you could be barred from filing it at all, and the insurance company could stop any effort to negotiate a settlement. The best way to avoid misinterpreting or misunderstanding the filing deadline is to let an accident attorney handle it for you. Their familiarity with the law can help you avoid the costly consequences of filing your lawsuit too late.

How Much Is a Dollar Store Slip and Fall Accident Case Worth?

While every case will have its own unique value, some examples of average slip and fall accident settlements include:

• $75,000 settlement for a slip and fall resulting in a torn knee
• $85,000 settlement for a slip and fall at Dollar Tree
• $100,000 settlement for a slip and fall that resulting a fractured wrist
• $135,500 settlement for a slip and fall at Dollar General
• $400,000 settlement for a slip and fall resulting in a spine injury

Your recoverable damages depend on the severity of your injuries and the length of your recovery time. They are a combination of all the following:

• Past and future medical bills
• Past and future income loss
• Loss of future earning ability
• Property damage or total loss
• Disability and disfigurement
• Physical pain and suffering
• Mental and emotional anxiety

If you lost a loved one in an accidental fall, you could also be entitled to receive wrongful death damages for your loss. A wrongful death lawyer can help you prove the fall caused your loved one’s demise and file the appropriate legal action.

How Can You Prove the Dollar Store’s Negligence Caused Your Slip and Fall?

The dollar store can only be held liable for your fall if their negligence caused it. That means you have to prove they did something to cause your fall or did not do something that could have prevented it. These facts can be established by proving the legal elements of negligence, including:

• Duty of care
• Breach of duty
• Causation
• Damages

Some common causes of slip and fall accidents include slick or slippery floors, uneven surfaces, strewn debris, lack of warning signs and safety cones, and inadequate lighting. If one of these or any other act of negligence caused your fall, the store could be financially liable.

What Kind of Evidence Can Prove the Elements of Negligence?

You can sue for a slip and fall accident if the case file you build proves the store’s negligence. Evidence can include:

• Accident report
• Expert testimonials
• First responder reports
• Incident reports
• Injury photos
• Medical records
• Photos of the store
• Witness statements
• Doctor’s prognosis

Your case file should also contain evidence that proves the costs of your fall, including medical bills, proof of income, and receipts for repairing or replacing your damaged or destroyed property.

Call for a Free Review of Your Slip and Fall at a Dollar Store

If you or a loved one was injured in an accidental fall, we can sue the store and its insurer for damages. Our legal team will define what you should do if you fell at a dollar store and why they could owe you financial compensation. One of our team members will evaluate your case and advise you on the best course of action.

Learn more about your rights and explore your compensation options. Contact our consultation team at Chalik & Chalik Injury Lawyers today.