A fall in a restaurant, grocery store, or other retail establishment can happen to anyone. What was supposed to be a nice dinner out or a quick run to the store suddenly turns into a nightmare, dealing with painful injuries that require extensive medical treatments and missed work while recovering.
In the majority of falls that occur in retail locations, there is usually some kind of negligence or other failure on the part of the property or business owner that resulted in the victim falling and suffering injuries. Under Virginia’s premises liability laws, injured parties can pursue legal action against the property owner or other liable party for damages for the losses their injuries have caused.
A Virginia Beach slip and fall lawyer can advocate for injured victims in these situations, getting them the financial compensation they may be entitled to for the losses the injuries have caused them.
Premises Liability Lawsuits
Many things can cause dangers and hazards to anyone who walks into a retail establishment, which can cause the customer to fall and sustain injuries. This is why the law requires business owners to take care of these hazards right away or at least implement some type of warning to alert anyone who enters that the hazard exists. If the business owner fails to abide by this duty of care, the injured victim can pursue damages against them.
At Shapiro, Washburn & Sharp, some of the more frequent types of hazards our clients have encountered and suffered injuries as a result include:
Faulty or Missing Handrails
Most municipalities have building codes that require property or business owners to install handrails on ramps or stairs. Unfortunately, not all owners comply with this regulation and either fail to install handrails or fail to replace or repair railings that have become loose or in poor shape.
Poorly Lit Areas
Stairways, hallways, walkways, and other passageways where customers walk should be brightly lit so people can see where they are walking. When areas are not lit, or bulbs have burned out and not been replaced, visitors to the building are at risk of falling and becoming injured.
Slippery Floors and Other Surfaces
Any spills on a business floor or other area should be cleaned immediately. Failure to take care of spills can lead to individuals slipping and seriously injuring themselves. The property owner should also install non-slip surfaces in areas where needed, such as on stairs and foyer areas. It is also the property/business owner’s responsibility to make sure any snow and ice is cleared in the parking lot and other areas where customers will be walking.
Tripping Hazards
It is not uncommon for businesses to fail to keep areas free of tripping hazards. This can occur because of the displays they have up, such as rugs or electric cords.
Let Our Personal Injury Law Firm Help
Premises liability cases can be difficult to prove without the legal expertise of a Virginia Beach personal injury attorney. These cases can be complex, and failure to provide sufficient evidence could result in a dismissal of the case by the court or a ruling in favor of the defendant (property owner).
At Shapiro, Washburn & Sharp, our legal team will provide a free case evaluation to determine what legal options you may have and how to proceed. Contact our office today to find out how we can help you get the financial compensation you deserve.
Our firm has been aggressively advocating for injured victims and their families for more than three decades and will work diligently to get you the financial compensation you deserve, like the $1.5 million settlement we negotiated for one client who suffered a permanently disabling electric shock injury in a hotel room.