With Black Friday approaching quickly, it is important to understand your rights if you get injured in a department store. Continue reading and give our skilled Panama City slip & fall accident attorneys a call today. Here are some questions you may have about department store accidents in Florida:

How do department store accidents occur in the state of Florida?

There are a number of different ways that department store accidents can occur. Keep in mind, however, in most cases, they are a direct result of a store owner’s and/or employee’s negligence. There are several examples of negligence that our firm has seen our clients experience. Some of the most common instances include the following:

  • Liquids on bathroom floors
  • Poorly placed floor mats
  • Poorly lit parking lots
  • Falling merchandise from shelves
  • Spills left uncleaned
  • Faulty escalators, elevators, or other equipment used in the store
  • Lack of security

It is in your best interest to give our firm a call today if you were injured in a department store. Our legal team will put in the effort required to ensure that our clients obtain the compensation they need and deserve to heal and move forward. We are on your side.

What actions should I take after a department store accident?

It is important to note that in the state of Florida, store owners and employees are held liable for unkept premises. This means that store owners and employees should conduct routine checks of the property to demonstrate that there are no dangerous conditions present. If these routine checks are not satisfied, and an injury happens as a result, the store owner and employees can be held liable for negligence. If you were hurt in a department store accident this Black Friday, you will want to take the following steps:

  • Call 911. The police will dispatch an ambulance to the scene, file an accident report, obtain witness statements, and more.
  • Take plenty of photos and videos of the hazardous conditions.
  • Obtain contact information from any witnesses. In some cases, witness testimony can be critical to a victorious premises liability claim.
  • Seek medical attention immediately after your accident occurs. This will confirm that your injuries are adequately treated while also providing you with proof of the origin and extent of your injuries.
  • Hire the services of one of our skilled personal injury attorneys so that you can obtain evidence that may not be readily available to you, such as police reports and security camera footage.

Recognize that in the state of Florida, the statute of limitations for a personal injury accident is generally four years from the date of the accident. If you do not file within four years, you will lose the ability to retrieve the compensation you need to heal.