Keeping Yourself Safe In Stores

Most people take it for granted that their shopping trip will be successful and safe. However, shoppers are hurt in retail businesses all the time. In some cases, the shopper could have been more careful but often, the store failed to provide the shopper with a safe environment. Read on and find out where a victim's responsibility ends and the store's begin.

Assuming a store has done its best to provide shoppers with a safe experience, you must also take care when shopping. You should not expect to blame a store if you disobeyed warning signs, for example. When a store posts signs, places warning cones, and closes off certain areas of the store to customers, they are doing their duty to keep shoppers safe. If you have been hurt in a store and the court believes you could have done a better job of being aware of your surroundings, you might not have a good case against the store after an injury.

The Store Must Take Measures

When you consider the relationship between a business and a customer, the greater burden of responsibility lies with the store. That is because shoppers have little to no control over what goes on at a store. The owner or manager of the store needs to address safety concerns quickly and efficiently to avoid an injury. For example, if a carpet is torn and is presenting a tripping hazard, the store must do something to prevent injuries by warning the customer and making things safe again. The job of keeping customers safe is not a one-and-done deal. Constant vigilance is required because safety issues can arise in an instant.

Injured in a Store? What to Do

Even if you think you could have avoided an accident by paying more attention, chances are the store failed to prevent your injury in some way. After an injury, protect your rights to be compensated by taking these actions:

  1. Inform the store employees, manager, or owner right away.
  2. If you can, take photos of the hazard and your injuries while at the scene.
  3. In some cases, hurt customers will be asked to fill out a report so be sure to do that unless you need to seek emergency care.
  4. Call your doctor, arrive at an urgent care clinic, or go to the emergency room as soon as possible. Putting off treatment can be detrimental to your health, and you won't be able to get paid for your damages if you don't seek medical attention.

Finally, speak to a personal injury lawyer about your case, like one found at the Law Office of Robert Karwin, and have them handle things.


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