Tis the season to go holiday shopping! In our last post, we touched upon the dangers that consumers could face in shopping mall parking lots. Essentially, the growing numbers of shoppers combined with escalating tempers could make parking lots more dangerous than usual. However, the dangers do not end at the parking lot.
Every year there appears to be a report about someone being injured in a Black Friday scramble for deeply discounted items. Also, larger crowds could lead to patrons being injured. Because of these possibilities, retailers have a responsibility to keep customers safe from hazards.
They may be immediate hazards (such as spilled liquids or other debris on floors) or potential hazards (such as flammable displays or lack of emergency exits). Whatever the risk of injury to a consumer (or an employee, for that matter), a retailer who fails to take reasonable steps to ensure a customer’s safety is at risk of being held liable for a customer’s injuries.
This means that an injured patron could seek monetary damages from a retailer for pain and suffering, lost wages, medical expenses and a host of other damages. If you have been injured in a mall or shopping center, it is important to discuss the situation with an experienced personal injury attorney so that you understand your rights and options. After all, the entity responsible for maintaining the retail center (especially its insurer) will have attorneys working for it to limit its exposure; it only follows that you should have experienced legal counsel as well.