What to do if You’ve Suffered a Macy’s Slip and Fall Accident
With over five-hundred and twenty locations and over one-hundred and fifty years of history, Macy’s is among the most recognizable retail brands in the world. From its ubiquity in malls across America to its sponsorship of the annual New York City Thanksgiving Day parade, Macy’s is knit into the fabric of Americana like few other brands. However, the large floor spaces, heavy traffic, and multitude of products stocked in a standard Macy’s mean that injuries are a real possibility for customers. Today’s Malloy Law blog post will inform our readers of the course to take if they’re injured in a Macy’s slip and fall accident.
A Brief History of Macy’s
Originally founded as a dry goods store in the 1850s by Rowland Hussey Macy, R.H. Macy and Co. first came to its iconic New York location at Herald Square in 1902. The company benefitted from the 20th century retail boom and remains a pillar of the department store space. In 1994, Macy’s was acquired by Federated Department Stores. Understanding the value of the iconic brand name, Federated Department Stores would rebrand as Macy’s, Inc. in 2007. Since 2023, Macy’s has been the largest department store in the US by sales volume. Macy’s has five hundred and eight locations in the United States, employs roughly ninety-four thousand people, and reports annual revenues of over twenty-five billion dollars.
Premises Liability and You
Any attempt to seek compensation for an injury suffered on private property will fall under the legal concept of “premises liability.” In layman’s terms, premises liability makes property owners responsible for the safety of guests on their property. The owner of a given property is obliged to address any potential hazards or warn guests of their existence. This is why we see things such as “wet floor” signs in public spaces.
Keep in mind as well that our use of the word “guests” is intentional. For a department store like Macy’s, “guests” effectively means everyone present in the store during business hours. If, for instance, you found yourself injured while breaking and entering into a Macy’s after it has closed, you obviously do not have any grounds to seek compensation for your injury.
However, if you find yourself injured due to a hazard which you were not reasonably informed of, you may have a premises liability case.
Steps to Navigating a Macy’s Slip and Fall Accident
Prioritize Your Health
Your health should be of the utmost concern if you find yourself injured. Even if your injuries are minor, it doesn’t pay to take chances. A visit to a medical professional will not only treat your injury but create a hard record of its severity and cause. Without this, insurance companies and other relevant organizations may seek to minimize your injury’s severity or claim its cause is unrelated to your slip and fall.
Report Promptly
Report your injury to Macy’s staff as soon as possible. Ensure that a report of the incident is written and request a copy for your records.
Document the Scene
Photos of the scene of the accident, especially of any hazards that can be said to have caused your injury, can be a vital asset to a personal injury case. These may include:
- Wet floors
- Cracked floors
- Improperly secured rugs or mats
- Improperly restocked merchandise
- General clutter or trash left on foot paths
Speak with Witnesses
Exchange contact information with any witnesses to your accident. Their testimony will be vital to supporting your case. This testimony can prove negligence on the part of the store’s staff.
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.
Contact Malloy Law Today
Malloy Law Offices is home to the DMV region’s premises liability specialists. If you or a loved one has suffered a Macy’s slip and fall accident, contact Malloy Law today. Our talented team of attorneys will assess your case free of charge and seek maximum compensation on your behalf. Contact us today and let’s win your case.
