One of the last things you expect to happen is to go shopping at the local mall and get injured. While a slight mishap may seem insignificant at the time, the after-effects may leave you feeling a bit worse days later.
No-one is ever fully prepared in the event of an accident. Usually, accidents that take place at home warrant the medical box being hauled out of the cupboard. A fall at work may result in the dedicated first-aid member of staff being called in.
However, an incident in a shopping center brings with it a whole new set of criteria. Here are a few things to keep in mind if you slip and fall in your local shopping haven.
What Can Cause an Accident While You Are Shopping?
Injuries inside shopping malls are common. From broken, uneven tiles on the floor or wet floors, it is easy to fall victim to an incident inside the center. Poorly maintained elevators and escalators also invite accidents and should be avoided wherever possible.
Owners of shopping establishments are fully responsible for each customer’s safety and well-being from the minute they enter the premises. However, at times, these same owners neglect their responsibilities. This is due to the high costs of maintenance and renovations of up-keeping premises.
The result of this negligence can result in claims being made against these corporate property owners.
What to Do If You Fall?
Take Photos
If you are not severely injured and don’t need to rush off to seek medical attention, try to take photos of the scene immediately before anything is tampered with. Try to capture images of loose tiles or broken floorboards; you will need these later on if there is grounds for a case against the establishment.
Get Details of Any Witnesses
It is also an advantage to have other witness accounts of the incident. If there are any people around who witnessed the incident, make sure you exchange details such as their contact numbers and email addresses. You may need to contact them at a later stage to get a witness statement.
Seek Medical Attention
Your health is a priority. As soon as you are able, plan a visit to your doctor to give you a once-over examination. Let the health care specialist check to make sure you don’t have any severe injuries. Be sure to keep records of all the documentation and medical expenses you incur along the way. These can and will be used in the claim that you build.
Contact a Personal Injury Lawyer
You may choose to handle the situation on your own, but it is advisable to contact a professional firm that specializes in personal injury claims. Lawyers who are experienced with these cases will talk you through the process, step-by-step.
A professional team of legal experts will guide you regarding what evidence you require to proceed with a case. They will help you to determine if you have a strong case, and how to strengthen the case if you don’t have enough information to proceed.
The Bigger Picture
A small incident may seem insignificant, but there are numerous underlying factors you should consider in the event of you suffering an injury.
Loss of income, future injuries, or losses caused by the incident later on, as well as post-traumatic stress, are all things that need to be considered when it comes to determining what compensation is fair.
Conclusion
Enlisting the help and services of professional teams relieves the pressure of dealing with the complexities that come with personal injury claims. Keep in mind that you may have a case against the shopping complex as well as an additional lawsuit against the particular retail store where the incident took place.
