What You Need to Know About Department Store Accidents in Florida

Many people throughout the state of Florida enjoy spending time in retail and department stores and looking for new clothes, appliances, and more. Though department stores are seldom thought of as dangerous places to be, the truth is, accidents can happen any time, anywhere. Please continue reading and speak with our knowledgeable Florida personal injury attorneys to learn more about department store accidents in Florida and how our firm can assist you if you’ve been hurt in one. Here are some of the questions you may have:

What are the most common causes of department store accidents in Florida?

Department store accidents occur for a wide array of reasons, though they are typically a result of negligent department store ownership or staff. Some of the most common causes of department store accidents in Florida are as follows:

  • Poorly placed merchandise displays
  • Negligently placed floor mats
  • Merchandise falling from shelves
  • Merchandise or debris in aisles, increasing the risk of trip and fall accidents
  • Spilled liquids in aisles
  • Unsafe department store parking lots or sidewalks
  • Insufficient security
  • Elevator/escalator accidents

Who is responsible for a department store accident?

In most cases, when someone is injured in a department store, they will file a premises liability claim on the grounds that the property owner/staff either knew or should have known about the unsafe conditions, failed to fix them, and that they were injured and incurred damages as a result. That being said, if you were injured on a defective escalator or in a defective elevator, you may file a product liability claim against the machine’s designer or manufacturer.

Keep in mind that to win either claim, you will have to gather and present sufficient evidence to satisfy the burden of proof. Some of the most useful forms of evidence include pictures of the unsafe department store conditions, surveillance footage of your accident, a copy of the store incident report filed at the scene, medical documentation regarding your injury, witness statements corroborating your claim, and more. Ensure you file your claim within the state’s statute of limitations, which is four years. Waiting any longer than four years from the date of your accident will result in you permanently losing your right to sue. Our firm is ready to assist you today.

Contact our experienced Florida firm

Ansbacher Law is comprised of knowledgeable attorneys who are ready to assist clients with various legal matters throughout North Florida. We understand the urgency of your personal injury claim and additional legal matters, which is why we provide each of our clients with compassionate and efficient legal assistance, every step of the way. Please contact our office for an initial consultation today.