Department store accidents in New Jersey can occur as a result of unsafe property conditions, including spills, falling merchandise, poor lighting, and dangerous parking lots. If you are injured in a department store accident, you may be entitled to recover compensation. However, it’s in your best interest to take immediate action, including documenting the scene, seeking medical attention, and connecting with an Essex County personal injury attorney, to protect your health and legal rights. Read on to learn more about department store accidents in New Jersey.
How Do Department Store Accidents Occur in Essex County?
Department stores can be more dangerous than you may realize. In fact, there are a number of ways an accident can occur. Some of the hazards that can be found in retail stores can include spilled liquids, uneven walkways, poor lighting, unsafe parking lots, construction hazards, and more.
Department store accidents can happen for countless reasons, though most accidents are the result of unsafe property conditions, negligent maintenance, and failure to address hazardous conditions in a prompt manner.
Common Causes of Department Store Accidents
- Slips and falls caused by wet floors
- Trips and falls caused by uneven flooring or debris left on the ground
- Poorly stocked merchandise falling from shelves
- Inadequate lighting in stairwells, aisles, or parking lots
- Dressing room accidents
- Shopping cart accidents
- Unsafe walkways and entrances
- Construction hazards inside the store
- Parking lot accidents
- Cracked and damaged adjacent sidewalks
- Inadequate security incidents
These accidents can occur in shopping malls, outlet stores, strip malls, big box stores, and commercial retailers throughout Essex County, including Montclair, the Oranges, Bloomfield, and the surrounding North Jersey communities.
Who Is Responsible for a Department Store Accident?
New Jersey retail store owners and their staff owe all shoppers a duty of care. This requires them to take care of the property so that hazards do not arise and endanger shoppers. This can be done by conducting routine inspections so that if certain dangers are present on the property, they can be fixed immediately.
If an accident occurs because the store owner or employees failed to fulfill this obligation, the injured party can pursue legal action for damages.
Parties That May Face Liability for a Retail Store Accident
- Department store owners
- Property managers
- Retail store managers
- Maintenance crews
- Contracted cleaning companies
- Escalator, elevator, or other equipment manufacturers
- Third-party vendors operating independently inside retail stores
What Injuries Can Result From Department Store Accidents?
Department store accidents can lead to considerable physical injuries, especially when victims slip and fall on hard surfaces, are hit by poorly stocked, falling merchandise, or are injured due to defective equipment like escalators.
Common Injuries in Department Stores
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Back and spinal cord injuries
- Neck injuries
- Broken bones
- Sprains, strains, and soft tissue injuries
- Lacerations and contusions
- Internal bleeding
- Permanent mobility issues
How Do You Prove Negligence in a Department Store Accident?
If you have been injured due to another party’s negligence and you wish to recover compensation, you will have to provide proof of negligence. In order to recover the compensation you deserve, it is important to gather evidence that supports your claim that the department store or other party failed to maintain safe premises.
Evidence Often Used in Department Store Accident Claims
- Surveillance footage of the accident
- Photos and videos of the hazard
- Witness statements
- Store incident reports
- Medical records
- Inspection and maintenance records
- Employee statements
How Long Do You Have to File a Department Store Injury Claim in New Jersey?
New Jersey, like all states, imposes a statute of limitations on personal injury claims. This means you have a limited amount of time to pursue legal action against the negligent party. Failure to file this claim before the statute of limitations expires can bar you from recovering compensation, even when damages and negligence are obvious.
As such, with limited exceptions, the statute of limitations for personal injury claims, including those sustained in department stores, is two years from the date on which the accident occurred.
Contact Our Experienced New Jersey Personal Injury Firm
If you or a loved one has been injured in a department store accident, contact our firm to speak with an experienced personal injury attorney today. At Berliner, Cohen, Accardi & Grossman, LLC, we understand how difficult these matters can be to navigate on your own, which is why our firm is committed to helping you through these overwhelming matters. Contact us today to learn how our Essex County firm can help you in the fight for the justice and compensation you deserve.
