Although no one expects to suffer a severe injury during their galavanting at a shopping center or mall, accidents can occur due to negligence. Amid the bustling activity of overcrowded shopping malls, it can be easy to suffer unexpected injuries. When shopping malls are inadequately maintained, there’s a heightened chance of slip and fall accidents. Property owners are responsible for taking the necessary steps to ensure their premises are a safe environment for patrons to prevent accidents and injuries. If the appropriate parties fail to remedy hazardous conditions and someone sustains an injury, they can be held liable for your damages. If you have suffered an injury in a shopping mall, it’s in your best interest to contact a reliable Morris County Slip & Fall Attorney who can help you hold responsible parties accountable for their negligence. Please continue reading to learn what steps you should take after an injury in a shopping mall to safeguard your legal rights to compensation.
What Can Cause a Shopping Mall Accident to Occur?
Unfortunately, slip and fall accidents are quite common in shopping malls, and they can have a wide range of consequences for victims. That said, it’s essential to identify some common causes of shopping mall accidents to mitigate the risks. Like any other place of business, malls are held to a higher standard of care. These sites must provide a safe environment for their employees and customers by remedying hazardous conditions. As mentioned above, if the appropriate parties fail to repair dangerous conditions promptly and an individual gets injured, they can be held accountable for their negligence. The following include but are not limited to some of the most common causes of shopping mall injuries:
- Overcrowded aisles and walkways
- Slippery or uneven floors
- Misplaced or overloaded merchandise
- Poorly lit parking lots
- Potholes and uneven pavement in parking lots
- Inadequate security
- Stray electrical cords
- Weather-related hazards left unaddressed
- Faulty escalators or elevators
- Broken or missing handrails
What Should I Do If I’m Injured in a Shopping Mall in New Jersey?
If you sustained an injury in a shopping mall, it’s crucial to take the proper steps to safeguard your legal rights and maximize your chances of recovering monetary compensation for your damages. Regardless of whether the accident happened in a specific retail store or a common area of the mall, the first step you should take is to seek immediate medical attention. It’s crucial to have a medical examination performed by a healthcare professional to ensure you are in stable condition. From here, you must notify mall management and file an incident report. This will document that accident and provide crucial details for your legal claim.
If you’re physically capable, you should capture pictures of the accident scene, your injuries, and the hazardous conditions that caused your injuries. It’s crucial to gather as much evidence as possible, as you will be responsible for fulfilling the burden of proof. That said, it’s also beneficial to gather contact information from any witnesses who may be able to verify your version of the events later on. Nevertheless, the most crucial step you can take is enlisting a seasoned attorney’s help.
At Lutz Injury Law, we are prepared to help you fight for the just compensation you deserve and need to get your life back on track. Contact us today to discuss your case.