Premises Liability
Despite the shift towards online purchasing, retail stores are still popular among shoppers looking for the perfect gift or stopping to pick up a few things on the way home.
Statista explains that e-commerce only accounted for 9% of all retail sales in the United States in 2017, meaning a large number of shoppers still do their purchasing in-store at a physical retail location. While this traffic can be good news for store owners, shoppers can face a number of injury risks at retail stores the same way they can in any other public place or commercial property.
What constitutes a retail business injury?
Similar to other types of commercial property injuries, retail business injuries are injuries that occur while on the premises of a retail store like a supermarket, department store, specialty store, or even inside a mall containing several different types of businesses.
In many cases, these injuries may have been caused by negligence on the part of store management. Under California premises liability law, the owner of a property has a responsibility to take reasonable safety measures to prevent guests from coming to harm. Due to the nature and layout of many retail businesses, any negligence on the part of store management or staff can lead to environmental hazards such as improperly set up displays, debris or excess product on the floor or in walkways, jagged shelves, or spilled liquids.
Many of the injuries suffered on the property of a retail business can be caused by the actions of others, as well.
There was an
11%
increase in retail store criminal acts from 2017 to 2018
If the store has not provided sufficient security measures such as security personnel, cameras, and adequate lighting in the parking lot, violent crimes against shoppers can increase through their negligence.
Common injuries at retail businesses
What can I do if I am injured at a retail business?
Retail business injuries are similar to many other types of personal injury, in that California injury law allows you to seek damages against the store. If your injury was found to be caused by negligence on the part of the store, you may be able to seek these damages (and more) in a civil case:
- Medical expenses
- Lost wages
- In-home care and assistance during recovery
- Pain and suffering
In order to determine if your injury was caused by negligence on the store’s behalf and seek these damages, you need a skilled and experienced personal injury lawyer – and that means you need The Wallace Firm.
Contact a Los Angeles retail business injury attorney today
The Wallace Firm understands the process of recovering from an injury suffered at a retail location, both physically and financially, can be a long and difficult one. Our personal injury lawyers are on your side every step of the way, and can help see your case through no matter what the circumstances. Contact us today to review the details of your case.