Can I File a Claim for a Slip and Fall at a Store?

When you’re running errands and dipping in and out of various stores, the last outcome you expect is being injured in a slip and fall accident. The truth is, however, that these accidents are both more common and more dangerous than you probably realize, and the losses you experience as a result can be immense. 

If this is the difficult position you find yourself in, don’t wait to discuss the matter with an experienced New Mexico slip and fall at a store lawyer

Slip and Fall Accidents

Falls are the leading cause of ER visits, and slip and fall accidents account for at least 12 percent of these visits. About one million people need medical treatment in emergency rooms following slip and falls each year in the U.S.

Additionally, slip and fall accidents are a primary cause of missed days on the job. The bottom line is that slip and fall accidents are common, and they often result in serious physical, financial, and emotional losses, which can include all the following:

• Healthcare costs that may be ongoing
• Lost wages, which may include lost earning power
• Physical and emotional pain and suffering, which can overshadow your other categories of loss

The Duty of Care You’re Owed

Property owners and managers owe their guests, visitors, and customers a duty of care, which means they have a responsibility to your safety when you’re in one of their establishments. This responsibility involves implementing the same reasonable level of care that other reasonable business owners employ under similar circumstances. 

For example, while a store may not be able to clear away every conceivable spill immediately, they should put effort into keeping their aisles and walkways reasonably safe. A spill that they are aware of – or reasonably should be aware of – should be addressed by either cleaning it up or covering it with a warning sign in a timely manner.  

The Elements of Your Slip and Fall Claim

To bring a successful slip and fall claim, you’ll need to prove each of the following critical elements:

• The store failed to live up to the duty of care you were owed. This means that, given the situation, the property owner or manager failed to take an action that other reasonable property owners would have or took some action that other reasonable property owners wouldn’t have.
• The store’s breached negligence was the direct cause of your slip and fall accident.
• You suffered legal damages – or the kinds of losses listed above – as a result of slipping and falling.

Common Causes of Slip and Fall Accidents

While no two slip and fall accidents are exactly alike, they’re often caused by risk factors like the following:

• Uneven, cracked, or otherwise poorly maintained outdoor walkways
• Inadequate indoor or outdoor lighting
• Awkward transitions from room to room or from the outdoors to the inside
• Poorly designed, constructed, or maintained stairways
• Frayed, torn, ripped, bunched, or otherwise dangerously worn flooring
• Flooring that is overly slippery to begin with
• Spills that are left unattended 
• Walkways that are crowded with obstacles
• Entryways made slippery by tracked-in moisture or debris that isn’t cleared away

If you slipped and fell in a store as a result of negligent practices on the part of the property owner or manager, seek the skilled legal guidance of a practiced slip and fall at a store attorney today. 

Reach Out to an Experienced New Mexico Slip and Fall at a Store Lawyer Today

If you’ve been injured in a slip and fall accident that was caused by negligence on the part of the property owner or manager, the compassionate New Mexico slip and fall attorneys at Fadduol, Cluff, Hardy & Conaway P.C. have a wealth of experience guiding challenging claims like yours toward optimal outcomes, and we welcome the opportunity to also help you. Learn more by contacting us online or calling 800-433-2408 for more information today.