Retail Store Liability

Massachusetts Attorney for Slip and Fall Victims

Shopping is part of our daily lives, whether it’s picking up groceries, school supplies, or looking for new clothes. Each time that we set foot inside of a store, we place ourselves at risk of suffering serious injuries if the property owners fail to maintain the premises in a safe condition and provide warnings about known dangers. There are countless accidents that take place in retail stores throughout Massachusetts every day. If you were injured while shopping at a retail store, you may be entitled to compensation. A Massachusetts slip and fall lawyer at our firm is available to help you understand your legal rights if you or a loved one has suffered harm at a retail establishment.

Retail Store Liability

There are virtually endless ways in which an accident can happen at a retail store. One of the most common examples is a slip and fall accident, which can happen as a result of ice and snow during winter or spilled liquid in an aisle that an employee failed to notice. Faulty staircases can also pose a serious threat in the form of uneven steps, cracked floorboards, or a rickety railing. In some situations, a staircase may lack a railing, making it incredibly dangerous. Elevators and escalators can pose dangers if they are not maintained properly. The escalator can malfunction, sending riders flying off balance, or an elevator can malfunction and crash to the bottom of the shaft. Display cases full of merchandise that are not anchored to the wall or secured to the floor can tip over and cause serious harm to shoppers, as can jagged shelves and showcases. There can also be premises liability accidents involving poor lighting or inadequate security in parking lots or areas around the premises.

If you were injured in a retail store accident, the first thing that you should do is to seek prompt medical attention. This will help ensure that you are treated for your injuries as well as create a record of the injuries that you sustained. Also, it is important to obtain the contact information of any witnesses who may have seen the accident or who could have information about how it took place.

Establishing Your Right to Compensation

If you are harmed in a slip and fall or other premises liability accident, you can seek compensation from the owner of the property for a variety of damages including your past and future medical expenses, lost wages, lost earning capacity, and pain and suffering. The first step is to show that the owner of the property owed you a duty of care. When it comes to retail guests, business owners owe the highest level of care. This requires them to identify dangerous conditions on the property and to repair them, or to provide warnings about conditions that cannot be remedied. The owner must also make a reasonable effort to seek out and discover dangerous conditions.

The next step in establishing retail store liability is to show that the failure of the property owner to identify the dangerous condition or to provide a warning caused you to suffer harm. If the owner can show that some other factor caused your injuries, then you may be barred from recovering compensation. A common example is if the property owner can show that you accessed a portion of the property that was protected with ‘Do Not Enter’ or ‘Employees Only signs.’ There are also doctrines that prevent a plaintiff from recovering compensation where the dangerous condition was open and obvious, such as a floor where there are signs cautioning people that it may be wet and slippery. A dedicated premises liability lawyer can help you assess your potential case and whether you may be entitled to compensation.

Consult with a Seasoned Premises Liability Lawyer in Massachusetts

Trying to establish retail store liability after you have been hurt in an accident caused by inadequate maintenance or some other form of negligence can be incredibly difficult. A diligent injury lawyer at our Massachusetts firm is available to represent victims in areas around Boston, Cambridge, Lowell, Newton, Waltham, Quincy, Dedham, Norwood, Somerville, Brookline, and Peabody. We will assist you with all aspects of your claim, including gathering evidence, identifying potential witnesses, and negotiating with insurance companies. To schedule your free consultation, call us at  (800) 262-9200 or contact us online to get started.