What to Do If You Slip and Fall in a Luxury Store

When you think of someone slipping and falling in a store, you probably picture the store as a dark, dirty, unmaintained space. You may probably picture the local store on the corner with tiles lifting from the floor, creating a huge hazard.

In reality, slips and falls can happen anywhere, including the most upscale boutiques or stores in New York. Slip and fall accidents can cause disfigurement if they are severe enough. They can also lead to permanent disability.

So, if something as traumatizing as this happens to you in a luxury store, you must know what to do.

If you are browsing the products in a luxury store and slip and fall because of a wet or broken floor, it is important to stay where you are. That means staying on the floor until you have determined whether anything is broken.

Even a minor fall can cause fractures or head trauma, so getting medical help is critical. A first responder or paramedic will move you to a safer location or take you to the hospital if your injuries are severe.

While inside the store, ask a bystander or employee to report the accident to a manager or supervisor. Having the accident officially documented is important so that a compensation claim can be filed.

If you are physically able to describe what happened, do so. State the facts without assuming blame or downplaying your injuries.

The store will create an incident report you need to get a copy of. If you decide to pursue legal action, this report will be crucial evidence for your case.

The incident report is not the only evidence you need for a legal case. If you can, take photos while you are still at the store. If there is an obvious reason for your fall, capture it on camera. This may include an uneven surface, a wet floor without a sign, or a poorly lit store section.

Write down details about the accident immediately. Note the time, date, and location within the store (very important if the store is large). If you are unable to take notes, ask someone to do it for you.

If there are bystanders, ask them if they would be willing to state what they saw when you fell.

You must do it if a paramedic tells you to go to a doctor or hospital. They may suspect internal injuries, which is crucial to diagnose right away. If you get medical assistance immediately, you can prevent minor injuries from getting worse.

You will also have access to medical records linking your injuries to the slip and fall. Your doctor will give you a treatment plan, which you must follow to the letter, especially if you have serious injuries.

If you have more visits or upcoming surgeries, keep records of it all. This will also help strengthen your compensation claim.

Luxury store owners are not exempt from the obligation to maintain safe spaces for customers. If the store owner of the shop where you fell was negligent, you can sue them.

Negligence takes on many forms. For instance, the owner may have neglected to enforce rules that say spills must be cleaned immediately. They may have ignored damaged floors or hazards.

You will, however, have to prove the owner’s negligence if you want to win your case. This includes demonstrating that the hazard leading to your fall should have been noted and removed by either the owner or staff.

If it becomes clear that your fall was caused by negligence, you must get a lawyer to help you file a claim. Slip and fall cases are notoriously tricky, so your lawyer can help establish whether you have a strong enough claim for compensation.

Moreover, your lawyer will communicate with the store owner and their insurance company, so you don’t have to. In most cases, lawyers also do their own investigation to ensure they have all the evidence they need to win a case.

If your lawyer confirms that you can win your case, they will draw up a demand letter for the store’s insurance company. This letter will detail your damages and losses, as well as the amount of compensation you want.

You can claim compensation for medical expenses and lost wages. If your slip and fall caused you emotional distress and disfigurement, you can also claim for non-economic damages.

It is important to consider all expenses when putting together a demand letter. Additional expenses may include travel costs, future loss of earning potential, and long-term disability.

If you slip and fall in a luxury store and want to claim compensation, you will be up against a top legal team. Luxury store owners have enough money to pay for several lawyers. You will not be able to fight against them on your own.

Instead, you can and should hire a personal injury lawyer with the necessary experience in New York-based slips and falls. This gives you the best chance of winning your case and not being intimidated by a bloated legal team.

Most people do not go to a luxury store to fall and land flat on their backs. You cannot always control an incident like this, but you can take steps to help prevent it.

When your case is resolved, you can prevent yourself from experiencing the same situation again. For example, whenever you go shopping, you should wear non-slip shoes.

You should also focus on shopping and nothing else. Do not be tempted to text and walk or talk on the phone while trying to navigate the store’s aisles.

If you can clearly see the floor has just been cleaned, do not walk over it. If you notice something in a store that could be a hazard, report it to the manager or an employee.

This way, you can prevent harm to yourself and others who may not be as attentive to their surroundings.