With retail stores opening their doors to the state of New Jersey again, it is important to be sure the grounds are up to standard so that shoppers cannot become harmed when they come. When the property is not maintained, it can cause an accident and severe injuries to happen. An accident can happen in a retail store when those who are required to take care of it fail to do so. This can cause shoppers to suffer from broken bones, spinal cord injuries, brain injuries, and more. It is because of this that injured parties can pursue legal action against a negligent party to recover compensation. Continue reading below to learn more and contact an experienced New Jersey personal injury attorney for assistance.
Who is Responsible for a Retail Store Accident?
In the state of New Jersey, retail store owners and the staff they employ owe shoppers a duty of care. This requires them to make sure the property is in good condition and the grounds are not dangerous. There are many ways this can be done. A simple way to make sure a store is in good condition is to conduct routine inspections to be aware if any hazards become present on the property. If they do, they can be fixed immediately. In the event that the hazard is not fixed, the duty of care is not upheld and therefore they can be held liable for damages. Examples of hazards that can be found in retail stores can include spilled liquids, uneven walkways, poor lighting, unsafe parking lots, construction hazards, and more.
How Can I Prove Negligence?
When a retail store accident causes harm to shoppers, they can pursue legal action to recover compensation for damages. This is possible by filing a personal injury lawsuit in which they are required to prove the negligent party knew or should have known about the hazard that caused the injuries and failed to fix it. This can be done with a variety of different pieces of evidence, such as an actual notice or constructive notice. Actual notice consists of any record that proves the store owner knew about the hazard, while constructive notice is if the owner did not inspect the entire property. An experienced attorney can help to gather the proper evidence necessary to prove negligence.
Contact our Firm
If you have been injured as a result of a defective product and wish to speak with an attorney, contact the Law Office of Christopher T. Howell, Esq. today.
