Large and small businesses alike have a responsibility to ensure the safety of their customers. While it is impossible to foresee every type of injury or accident that may occur on the property, business owners are expected to act as a reasonable store owner would by conducting regular inspections of the property, warning customers of any existing hazards or dangers on the property and taking steps to fix dangerous conditions so that accidents do not occur.
However, store owners may be more focused on making sure their products are selling than making sure that their customers are not in danger while shopping. As a result, slip-and-fall accidents occur in stores across America on a daily basis.
If you are a Connecticut resident and you have slipped and fallen at a store, you may be thinking about filing a claim against the store owner of the store where your accident occurred. Before you begin the process of filing your claim, consider the following questions:
- Was your accident caused by a dangerous condition or hazard on the property? Slip-and-falls are often caused by hazards including ice and snow on the floor, spilled substances, uneven carpeting, and broken tiles.
- Did the store owner know of the condition, or should they have known of the condition? The owner must have had actual or constructive notice of the condition to be held liable for your accident.
- Did you suffer injuries? You may be entitled to compensation if your accident caused you to suffer injuries and/or damages.
- Were you partially responsible for the accident? If you were texting while walking and tripped over a piece of flooring, you may be partially responsible for your own accident for failing to pay attention. However, that does not mean that the store owner is off the hook. Under Connecticut’s comparative negligence laws, you may still be able to recover damages if you were partially at-fault for your own injuries, as long as you are not over 50 percent at-fault.
Filing a slip-and-fall claim requires solid evidence, including accident reports and expert testimony. A personal injury attorney can help you determine whether you have a legitimate claim against a retailer or property owner and whether you have the necessary evidence to prove your case.
