You are walking down an aisle at your local Walmart, Target, or any other store, and, all of a sudden, you get hit by something that tumbled down from above. That object might have been inadequately secured by the store’s workers, or other customers trying to reach it turned it into a falling hazard.
Whatever the case, you have sustained an injury, and now you have no idea what to do and how to recover compensation for this completely avoidable and unnecessary injury. But who can be held liable for this injury? Let our Riverside premises liability attorney from the Law Offices of Howard Craig Kornberg answer this question.
Can I sue the store for my injuries after being hit by a falling object?
Typically, you will be able to hold the store accountable for your injuries caused by falling products at the store. More often than not, negligence is to blame for this type of accident on the premises of grocery stores and other big box stores and shops.
Depending on the circumstances of your particular accident, you may be able to file a personal injury claim against the store and/or its workers under the legal doctrine of premises liability as a result of negligent training, supervision, or vicarious liability.
Injuries caused by falling objects can be severe
The seriousness of the problem of falling objects at stores is often underestimated, yet even small objects falling from above can cause severe and life-long injuries and even result in death in some cases. Depending on the size and weight of the object that tumbled down from shelves, ceilings, or other heights, your injuries may result in disability and affect your ability to earn a living.
“These types of accidents should NOT go unpunished,” says our experienced premises liability attorney. Each year, an estimated 50,000 Americans sustain injuries due to falling objects. And while accidents at construction sites account for a large percentage of these injuries, big box stores are also responsible for thousands of injuries every year.
As a result of an accident caused by falling objects at a store, the most common types of injuries are:
- Brain injury and trauma, including concussions;
- Broken bones;
- Back and neck injuries;
- Facial injuries and disfigurement.
Your injury may seem insignificant or minor immediately after an accident involving a falling object, but it is highly advised to seek medical attention, as even a minor bump or blow can cause permanent head injuries or another injury.
How a premises liability lawyer can help you
Whether or not you will be able to seek compensation for injuries and damages caused by falling objects at a store depends on a variety of factors, including but not limited to the severity of your injuries, the cost of your medical treatment, the existence of witnesses or surveillance footage during the accident, and determination of what caused the object to tumble down.
Whether or not the store’s workers were notified about the accident immediately after it occurred is also vital to recover damages, and so is calling the police to get a police report. “But the most important step is to request medical care as soon as possible,” says our Riverside premises liability attorney. Failure to receive medical attention immediately after the accident may become the main reason why your personal injury claim will be denied by the store’s insurance company.
Whether or not you are represented by a skilled lawyer will also make a noticeable difference, as an attorney will be able to request video footage of the accident on your behalf, evaluate damages in your particular case, document your injuries properly, and assist you with your legal case. Contact The Law Offices of Howard Craig Kornberg to get a free consultation today. Call 310-997-0904 or fill out this contact form.
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