Stores like Sam’s Club are popular with shoppers due to their wide selections and cheap prices. However, while the size of these stores allows for them to have so many items available, it also creates more opportunities for you to potentially slip, fall, and get injured. Slip and fall accidents can be quite serious, as they can cause injuries and end in emergency room visits.
Slip and fall accidents can be somewhat difficult for you to navigate. As such, you may have some questions about your case, especially when you’re dealing with a large store like Sam’s Club. Learning more about what these cases involve can help you see why it’s may be beneficial to hire an injury lawyer for slip and fall accidents at Sam’s Club. Get in touch with Ben Crump Law, PLLC at (855) 933-4005 to discuss your case and the types of awards you may receive.
The Causes Slip and Fall Injuries
There are many different hazards which can cause slip and fall injuries. Some of the most common causes of these accidents include:
- Wet or slippery surfaces
- Debris on floors and aisles
- Uneven surfaces
- Loose or exposed electrical cords
- Poor lighting
- Missing or incorrect warning signs
Factors such as what hazards caused your injuries, how they occurred, and who knew about them will be an important part of determining who is liable for your injuries.
Types of Injuries That Can Occur Due to Slip and Fall Accidents
You can suffer several different kinds of injuries as a result of a slip and fall accident. In the United States, some of the most frequently reported injures are:
Head Injuries
In a 2017 report, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) found that falls are the most common factor behind traumatic brain injuries. This is because if you slip and fall, it’s very easy for your head to suddenly and violently impact the ground. These injuries can be very dangerous, either requiring years of recovery or leaving permanent damage.
Back Injuries
The impact of a fall could cause the vertebrae in your back to fracture or cause a disc to slip or become herniated. Back injuries can cause chronic pain, and these can also result in you becoming temporarily or permanently paralyzed.
Knee and Elbow Injuries
Knee and elbow injuries can occur after a slip and fall, especially if they absorb much of the impact. Injuries to the knees and elbows can last for some time and make it difficult for you to move your legs and arms. It can take weeks or even months for these injuries to heal.
Broken Bones
It’s easy for a bone to break if you slip and fall in an awkward manner. Bones in the arms, legs, and hips are some potential injuries from a fall. Many times, you will require a cast, surgery, or a combination of the two to fully heal any broken bones.
Strains, Cuts, and Bruises
Injures such as muscle strains, cuts, and bruises tend to be common after a slip and fall. These injuries tend to not be as severe as the other types. Still, that doesn’t mean that they can’t cause you a lot of pain or discomfort while you recover.
Liable Parties for a Sam’s Club Slip and Fall Accident
It is possible for Sam’s Club to be liable for the injuries you suffered from your slip and fall accident. In general, for Sam’s Club to be liable, one of three things need to be true:
- The owner, manager, or an employee directly caused the dangerous situation which caused you to slip and fall
- The owner, manager, or an employee was aware of the dangerous situation but did nothing to rectify it or alert you and others to the danger
- The owner, manager, or an employee should have known about the dangerous situation, as any “reasonable” person in charge of or working on the property would have found and addressed the issue.
The third scenario is also potentially the trickiest. Much of your case will hinge on whether or not you can show that those on the property didn’t act like a “reasonable” caretaker would. For example, if someone in the store spilled water in an aisle and no employees clean it up or mark it off in a timely manner, then they could be seen as acting “unreasonably.” The store may be liable for any injuries the spill causes.
How an Injury Lawyer for Slip and Fall Accidents at Sam’s Club Can Help
Should you suffer injuries in a Sam’s Club slip and fall accident and feel the store is at fault, then a slip and fall lawyer can help you and your case in several ways, such as by:
Determining Liability
A slip and fall injury lawyer can help establish that the property is liable for your injuries due to their negligence. An attorney will investigate the situation surrounding your accident, such as how the hazard occurred, how long it was present, and if anyone in the store took proper action. They can then construct an argument to best show that the store was negligent and should be liable.
Countering Opposing Claims
Stores such as Sam’s Club will work to counter your claims by stating you were the one acting in a negligent manner. To do this, they may make claims such as that you were acting recklessly, distracted by something which prevented you from noticing the hazard, or that the hazard was obvious to see. A slip and fall injury lawyer can help push back against these claims by gathering eyewitness testimony and surveillance footage from the accident.
Find a Sam’s Club Slip and Fall Injury Lawyer Today at Ben Crump Law, PLLC
The injuries you experience from a slip and fall injury, and their associated costs, are something you may spend years recovering from them. Trying to take action against those who you feel are liable at the same time can be tough, especially if they are a larger company like Sam’s Club. That’s why you can call Ben Crump Law, PLLC at (855) 933-4005, so we can help you learn more about how an injury lawyer for slip and fall accidents at Sam’s Club can assist you.