If You’ve Suffered a Costco Slip and Fall Accident
When the average person thinks about Costco, they think “big.” Bulk orders sold direct to the consumer is the Costco model, and its one that has won them a loyal following both in America and abroad. Costco warehouses reflect this attitude of maximalism, as they rank among the biggest of big box retailers by square footage. But this size extends beyond the realm of the physical. Did you know that Costco is the third largest retailer in the world? They’re also the world’s largest retailer of beef, poultry, organic produce, and wine. Costco ranks 11th on the Fortune 500 list of largest American corporations measured by total revenue. Almost a third of all Americans can be counted among Costco’s considerable customer base. This sort of scale is admirable, but immense scale leads to negative outcomes as well as positive. Today’s blog post will cover a Costco slip and fall accident.
Costco Membership and Premises Liability
Any effort to recover compensation for an injury sustained on private property will be subject to the legal doctrine of “premises liability.” Simply put, premises liability holds proprietors accountable for the safety of visitors to their establishments. A property’s owner is required to take steps to mitigate any possible risks or alert visitors to their presence. This explains why we see signs like “wet floor” in public areas.
For most business “visitors” means anyone present during business hours. A situation like an injury sustained while breaking and entering into a business would not give any space for a premises liability claim, simply because the injured party was trespassing and the property owner therefore had no responsibility to consider their safety.
However, given that Costco operates on a membership model and may deny entry to non-members, this may considerably complicate a premises liability claim. Say you are not a Costco member, but are present at a Costco Warehouse with a friend who is a member. You slip or trip and sustain injuries. Does Costco still owe you a duty of care? We can’t say for certain within the context of this brief blog post and it would be irresponsible to speculate. But we can say for certain that large corporate interests have incentive to avoid paying out personal injury suits by any means necessary. It’s not unreasonable to suggest that they may attempt this legal strategy. Hypothetical situations such as these really do demonstrate the “personal” character of personal injury law. Every situation and every set of circumstances will inevitably be as different as the individuals who experience them.
Steps to Navigating a Costco Slip and Fall Accident
Put Your Health First
If you are injured, your health should be your top priority. It is not advisable to take a chance, even if your injuries are slight. In addition to providing medical care, a visit to a doctor will document the extent and source of your injuries. In the absence of documentation, insurance companies and other relevant entities can try to downplay the severity of your injuries or argue that it had nothing to do with your slip and fall.
Report Right Away
Inform Costco employees of your injury as soon as you can. Make sure the incident is reported in writing, and ask for a copy of the report for your files.
Record the Scene
A personal injury lawsuit might reap benefits from photos taken at the scene of the accident, particularly of any potential dangers that may have contributed to your injuries. These could consist of:
- Wet flooring
- Floor cracks
- Rugs or mats that are not properly fastened
- Improperly stocked merchandise
- Trash or general debris left in pathway
Talk to Witnesses
Give any witnesses to the accident your contact details. Your case will be significantly strengthened by their testimony. This testimony can demonstrate the Costco staffers’ negligence.
Speak with a Personal Injury Lawyer
To safeguard your rights and manage the complexities of a slip and fall lawsuit, consult with an experienced attorney with experience in premises liability matters, such as the attorneys Malloy Law Offices. They will examine your case, determine who is at fault, and help you navigate the court system.
Speak with Malloy Law Today!
The DMV region’s premises liability experts can be found at Malloy Law Offices. Get in touch with Malloy Law right now if you or a loved one was hurt in a Costco slip and fall accident. Our skilled legal team will evaluate your case at no cost to you and work to get the maximum compensation attainable. Let’s win your case; get in touch with us now.
