What Should I Do After a Shopping Mall Slip and Fall?
Whether you’re faced with the heat of summer, the damp of autumn, the chill of winter or the rains of spring, you can always spend a day at the mall. A trip to the local shopping mall is a great way to escape poor weather and spend a day in recreation. Modern malls are not just centers of commerce, but also places to dine, walk, and people watch. But the hectic pace of foot traffic, the challenge of maintaining safety standards in such a large space, and the clutter and detritus of consumer commerce can make malls dangerous places. Today’s blog post from Malloy Law Offices will explore shopping mall slip and fall incidents. We’ll seek to explore the legal implications as well as the individual tips and tricks you can employ in navigating a shopping mall slip and fall accident.
Premises Liability in Brief
If someone trips or slips and suffers injuries, they may be able to obtain compensation. This is considered “premises liability,” a subset of personal injury law. In a nutshell, this section of the law mandates that property owners warn visitors about any potential hazards. This could be a neighbor warning you to watch out for a loose or uneven step when descending the stairs during a house party. This could potentially be a “wet floor” or another type of warning sign in a public area. It could be considered negligent if these risks are not addressed or guests are not informed of their existence.
Establishing Fault
The nature of a shopping mall means that establishing the liable party for your slip and fall injury may be a more involved process than would be convenient. Malls are generally owned and operated by private companies who lease space in their facility to other companies or private vendors. This may mean that the area where your injury occurred may not necessarily be the responsibility of the mall owner. It may fall under the management of a given store or the operator of a kiosk or cart on the mall floor. This means the specific area where your injury occurred is of the utmost importance when assessing the viability and value of your personal injury case.
The General Steps of Navigating a Shopping Mall Slip and Fall Accident
Seek Medical Attention
Prioritizing your health and wellbeing is important. In case you have sustained injuries in a slip and fall incident, promptly seek medical attention. You should seek medical assistance even if you think the injuries are minor. This will not just address your injury, but create a hard record of its severity and cause.
Report Your Injury to the Authorities
As soon as you can, inform the mall staff or employees of the specific store where your accident occurred about the incident. Ensure that a report is written outlining the events, your injuries, and the identities of any witnesses. Since the report will be an asset in your case, ask for a copy for your records.
Take Photos
Get evidence to support your claims. Take pictures of the accident scene, making sure to document any dangers or situations that might have contributed to your fall. Make a note of any important details, such spills, wet flooring, uneven surfaces, or inadequate signage. This proof will support your case and help establish fault.
Speak with Witnesses
Obtain the contact details of anyone who may have witnessed your slip and fall. Their evidence may be very important in proving your case. Comments from witnesses may confirm the dangerous circumstances and highlight the mall or store’s negligence.
Contact a Personal Injury Attorney
Seek advice from a knowledgeable lawyer with experience handling premises liability cases, like Malloy Law Offices, to protect your rights and handle the intricacies of a slip and fall case. They will review your case, establish who is liable, and guide you through the legal system.
How Malloy Law Can Help
Malloy Law Offices is proud to employ the DMV region’s premises liability specialists. If you or a loved one has suffered a shopping mall slip and fall injury, contact Malloy Law for a free consultation today. Our experienced and diverse team of attorneys will assess your case free of charge and plot a path to victory. Contact us today and let’s win your case.
