Like any other business, OfficeMax has a responsibility to keep its customers reasonably safe while they shop. This responsibility extends to any area within their premises, as well, including the parking lot, for example.
In any store, there are various hazards that can lead to a customer slipping and falling. These hazards can include a puddle on the floor or a fallen piece of merchandise in an aisle. While these may seem like minor issues, they can cause great harm if they cause a person to fall.
If you recently visited an OfficeMax and slipped and fell on the premise, you may have a right to make an insurance claim with the business. Depending on how you fell, and if the business is liable, you may qualify for compensation for the losses related to your injury.
Ben Crump Law, PLLC represents victims who slipped and fell in OfficeMax, and we want to make sure you know your legal rights. Take advantage of a free consultation to help you determine if you have a case. Give us a call at (855) 933-4005. Our injury lawyer for slip and fall accidents at OfficeMax can handle your potential case and fight for fair compensation on your behalf.
Why Falling Is So Dangerous
Some people get up right after a fall to find they have nothing more than a minor bruise. These people are lucky compared to the ones that account for the hundreds of thousands of yearly hospitalizations, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
What makes these falls so dangerous is the fact that a person’s hips or head can bear the brunt of the impact, leading to fractures. For an elderly person, the risks associated with falling increase due to their general fragility. Any elderly person with a pre-existing medical condition may also struggle to recover from a fall, and it is not uncommon for their injuries to lead to a lowered quality of life or even death, according to the Journal of Biomechanics.
The journal found that a variety of factors can affect how a person falls, such as their gait and the height of their hips. While some people walk away from a slip and fall relatively unharmed, others can suffer injuries that greatly alter their lives by causing temporary or permanent disability.
Determining Fault After a Slip and Fall
After you slip and fall in a store, you may not feel confident about approaching an insurance claim. If you suffered an accident like this, our injury lawyer for slip and fall accidents might be able to help you determine if you have a personal injury case. They can investigate your fall to figure out if the company failed to secure the premise from a preventable hazard. Some of the ways they can investigate your accident include:
Looking into Security Footage on the Premise
A lawyer can request a store hand over any security footage that may have captured your fall. This footage can help your lawyer build your case and establish negligence on behalf of the store. For example, if the footage reveals an employee failed to place a warning sign in front of an aisle after they mopped it, this can serve as evidence of negligence.
Reviewing Previous Complaints or Accidents on the Premise
Some accidents are entirely avoidable, and previous complaints made against a store can help demonstrate that OfficeMax had prior knowledge of a hazard. For example, if a history of slip and falls occurred due to a visual obstruction, your lawyer could argue that management should have addressed the issue long ago.
Asking the Right Questions
Sometimes, the panic of experiencing a fall can cause you to overlook an important detail of your accident. A lawyer who handles slip and fall cases regularly can ask questions that help you determine if negligence played a role in your particular case.
Making a Claim for Your Losses
If negligence did factor into your injuries, you might want to file a claim with the store’s insurance company. An injury lawyer for slip and fall accidents at OfficeMax can help you through the entire process so that you do not even have to speak to adjusters.
If negotiations with the insurer do not result in what your lawyer estimates as a fair settlement, they can help you file a personal injury lawsuit. Most states have a statute of limitations that affects how long you have to file a lawsuit, though.
You will want to act quickly so that you can preserve your right to take legal action against an OfficeMax store if you need to.
Call Ben Crump Law, PLLC for Help
You may be wondering how you can afford legal representation for an injury lawyer for slip and fall accidents at OfficeMax. Luckily, Ben Crump Law, PLLC offers free case evaluations and works on contingency so you can get to work on your case right away. We only take our service fee after we secure compensation in your favor.
Do not wait to reach out and see how a lawyer can help you with your potential case. Call Ben Crump Law, PLLC at (855) 933-4005 to determine your legal rights and seek justice for your injuries at an OfficeMax store.
