When you head to PetSmart to get your furry friend their newest favorite toy, the last thing you expect to happen is that you’ll be injured in a slip-and-fall accident. Unfortunately, though, the reality is that thousands of Americans are hurt in slip-and-fall accidents in businesses every year. These common incidents can lead to serious injuries, from broken bones to spinal damage to brain injuries.
Often, a slip-and-fall is a preventable accident because it happens as a direct result of an employee’s negligence. When hazards are overlooked or ignored, accidents and injuries happen, leading to losses, from medical expenses to lost wages to pain and suffering. If you fell while shopping at PetSmart or any other pet store, you may be entitled to seek damages—financial compensation—to compensate you for your expenses and other losses related to the accident.
Usually, when you head to the store, you expect it to be safe—at least, safe enough that you’ll be able to navigate the walkways and get your shopping done without any problems. Sadly, that’s not always the case.
A number of hazards can be present at PetSmart:
Each shift should have enough employees on the schedule so there are enough people to keep an eye on conditions in the store, but sometimes the store is understaffed due either to people calling in sick or an unexpectedly busy day. Regardless, it is the duty of each employee to give patrons a store that’s safe to shop in. A breach of that duty is known as negligence.
One of the tasks that must be done is walking through the store every so often. If an employee comes across a hazard, they should remedy the situation immediately. If the problem can’t be fixed right away, the employee should put out a sign out warning of the danger.
If you ever find yourself in a situation in which you have fallen while shopping, there are some steps you should take so you don’t hurt your chances of being compensated. Many insurance companies will fight your claim, and taking these steps will help you fight back if it’s determined you have a valid claim.
Immediately after the slip-and-fall, you should take photos of the scene, speak with witnesses, and fill out an incident report with management. After that, head to the hospital or your physician for a medical evaluation. Be sure to keep all relevant documentation. Following that, it would be wise to contact a personal injury lawyer. They will be able to help you with everything, from evaluating your circumstances to filing the initial claim to effectively presenting your claim to the insurance company to representing you in the courtroom if it goes that far.
An expert Guru is standing by to help answer your questions and navigate the claims process after an accident. Use the button below to contact us and ensure you get the compensation you deserve.
