Accidents happen all the time, including at retail stores and other businesses. In fact, slip and fall accidents are much more common than many people realize, with some reports indicating they account for thousands of personal injury claims per year in the United States.
Retail store accidents frequently occur during the holiday shopping season — especially on “Black Friday” after Thanksgiving. Some result in just minor scrapes or bruises, but others are far more serious and cause broken bones, neck and spinal cord injuries, and sometimes even death.
The National Retail Federation reports that the following are the most common causes of retail accidents:
- Items and merchandise falling from shelves
- Faulty elevators, staircases and escalators
- Jagged showcases and shelves causing lacerations
- Liquid spilled onto the floor
- Aisle obstructions
- Broken or slamming doors
- Poor lighting in parking lots
Store owners may be held responsible for injuries that occur on their properties. Premises liability law says that store owners must exercise care to ensure that the grounds are reasonably safe from hazardous or secluded conditions that could lead to a serious accident. Property owners must act quickly to clean up spills and pick up broken glass or objects that fall and create a dangerous situation for customers.
After a slip and fall accident at a retail store or other public place, you may need to seek compensation for medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other damages. Contact an experienced Oxnard premises liability attorney for more information.