Department Store Accidents

Large department store chains like Bloomingdales, Macy's, JC Penney, Nordstrom, and Sears are all popular places for South Florida residents to shop. Many of these stores are located in shopping malls, while some stand alone, but regardless of their location within a larger shopping area, owners and occupiers are responsible for the upkeep of their own properties in order to ensure the safety of customers. When a patron is injured in a department store accident, he or she is often confused as to what happened and who may be responsible. Injuries from a slip and fall accident occurring in a department store can be significant, and the Miami premises liability lawyers at our Law Offices of Robert Dixon are dedicated to making sure that victims receive the compensation that they need to recover.

Our firm helps clients in Miami-Dade, Broward, and Palm Beach Counties, as well as other South Florida regions, pursue proper legal action in the aftermath of a fall or other incident leading to injuries on another party's property. If you or a loved one has suffered an injury while visiting a department store, contact our office today to schedule a free consultation to find out more about your legal rights and options.

When a department store is not properly staffed, or employees are not adequately trained regarding upkeep, dangerous conditions may develop. Department stores carry an array of goods. Aside from clothing, these large establishments may have furniture, kitchenware, appliances, and food items for sale in bulk or through a restaurant or coffee stand. As a result, employees in these stores need to know how to properly shelve such items to prevent falling merchandise, as well as being conscious of any spills that occur or placing 'wet floor' signs during or after mopping. Department store owners are also required to have escalators and elevators checked for defects.

If measures are not put in place to prevent an unreasonable risk of injuries to customers, department stores should be held accountable for the injuries that result. Premises liability claims can be pursued by patrons injured as a result of a hazard that they encounter at a department store. Businesses are required by law to engage in regular inspections of their premises and to fix any dangers found within a reasonable amount of time. If a hazard cannot be remedied right away, the store has a duty to warn customers of its existence or block off the area. In order to successfully show a breach of this duty, an injured victim must prove that a business knew, or should have known, of the hazard if proper inspections were conducted. For example, an injury lawyer might present evidence that an elevator had not been inspected for over a year if a victim were injured in an elevator accident.

Once a breach of duty is shown, victims may be entitled to compensation for past and future medical costs, lost income, diminished earning capacity, and pain and suffering. These lawsuits must be pursued within four years from the date of a victim's injury. Given the large corporations often involved in this type of case, this time period can go by quickly. Evidence collection may involve extensive research into a business' regular practices, how it trains employees, and an examination of other pertinent details. Contacting an experienced attorney soon after an accident involving a department store is important to ensure that your rights are protected.

A department store accident can lead to injuries like broken bones or head trauma, which can involve time missed from work in order to heal. The personal injury attorneys at our Law Offices of Robert Dixon assist clients in Miami, West Palm Beach, and other cities with making sure that they have the financial assistance to which they are entitled from those responsible for causing them harm. If you or a loved one needs legal assistance following a department store accident, contact us today at 877.499.4878 or online to set up a free consultation to discuss your potential case.