When browsing or picking up a few items from a dollar store, the last thing you likely expect is to become seriously injured. However, various types of accidents and injuries are known to occur in retail stores and businesses across the Philadelphia area.
While some of these accidents are completely unavoidable for most shoppers, learning and becoming aware of the most common dangers at dollar stores may be able to help you potentially stay clear of any risks associated with visiting or shopping in these stores. Be sure to talk to a Philadelphia premises liability lawyer about your case.
Six common dangers at Philadelphia dollar stores
Most of the time, workers, managers, and property owners make mistakes, act carelessly, or fail to take action to prevent or warn customers about various dangers in their stores. If this happens and you experience an accident as a result, you can file a personal injury claim to hold the responsible parties liable for your injuries, medical expenses, lost income, pain and suffering, and other losses. The following are six common dangers that customers frequently come into contact with while shopping in Philadelphia dollar stores:
- Overloaded store racks and shelves: Stock clerks often overload store racks and shelves, putting customers walking nearby at risk of being involved in an accident. They are supposed to place the items on the racks and shelves to make it convenient for shoppers to clearly see and grab the items to place in their shopping baskets or carts. However, some stock clerks do not receive the proper training or they may fail to complete their job-related tasks correctly, resulting in them overloading or improperly loading the store racks and shelves. When this happens, items can easily fall over and strike a person’s head, cause them to trip and fall, and suffer severe injuries.
- Slick, slippery, and wet floors: Whether an item spills onto the floor, a worker becomes distracted while in the middle of mopping, or wet shoes bring in water and mud from outside, you are likely to experience slick, slippery, and wet floors while shopping at a dollar store. When this happens, you may slip and fall, which can result in broken or fractured bones, cuts or lacerations, traumatic brain injuries, back or spinal cord injuries, eye and dental injuries, and more.
- Blocked or cluttered walkways: During certain times, dollar stores can become very busy, leading to items being moved and thrown around, boxes piling up, and walkways becoming cluttered or blocked. When this happens, customers typically try to make their way through the clutter instead of finding a different aisle, which can lead to an accident. Therefore, it is crucial that managers, workers, and store owners monitor and keep an eye on every aisle as frequently as possible to ensure that there are no obstructions in the customers’ way.
- Damaged or deteriorated floors, entryways, or ceilings: Sidewalks, floors, entryways, and ceilings can become worn out, broken, or loose overtime. If they are not repaired or replaced quickly, they can start to show obvious signs of damage or deterioration, which can be very hazardous for shoppers. For example, if a ceiling has obvious signs of damage and starts to cave in, pieces of it may fall off and hit a shopper in the head. This can cause a concussion, which may result in expensive medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and more.
- Unsecured decorations: It is common to see decorations throughout dollar stores, especially close to certain holidays. The goal of these decorations is to remind people of the holidays and help them get into the spirit of buying for their friends, families, and loved ones. However, if these decorations are not secure, they can fall from overhead shelves or ceilings, striking individuals or causing them to trip and fall.
- Lack of lighting: Another common danger that customers often encounter at Philadelphia dollar stores is lack of lighting. When there is a lack of lighting, customers are likely to have a difficult time seeing. For example, if an aisle has a few burned out lights, a customer may not realize that a jar has fallen over and shattered on the floor. This can lead to a slip and fall accident, which can also result in deep cuts and wounds from the shattered glass.
Do I need to hire a Philadelphia personal injury attorney for my dollar store accident?
Although you are not required to hire a personal injury attorney for your dollar store accident, they can increase your chances of winning your case and obtaining the justice and compensation you rightfully deserve. Healing and recovering requires a lot of time, effort, and attention, which is why an attorney will gladly take some of the burden off your shoulders and handle every aspect of your legal claim for you. Here are a few ways that a personal injury lawyer will help you with your case:
- They will conduct their own thorough investigation.
- They will build a strong and compelling case.
- They will identify every liable party.
- They will help you collect valuable information and evidence to support your claim.
- They will ensure that you meet all deadlines.
- They will work with professionals to calculate the true value of your losses.
- They will stand up and demand every penny that you are owed.
- They will take your case to court, if necessary.
At Kwartler Manus, LLC, we are dedicated to providing accident victims with top-notch legal advice and assistance. If you have recently been in an accident at a Philadelphia dollar store, you can count on our personal injury lawyers to help you navigate the legal process and potentially obtain the compensation you need and deserve to get your life back on track again. All you have to do is schedule a free consultation at our Philadelphia office to begin speaking with our team and getting the help you need today.