When you shop at a department or grocery store, it is assumed that you will enter the store and search for the items you want to buy. Sometimes people may be distracted by the colorful advertisements or sidetracked by the unexpected bargains. What you do not expect is to slip and fall suffer an injury while shopping at a department store or grocery store in New Jersey. What happens when the unexpected happens during a routine shopping visit?
Since a slip and fall is unexpected, you can never be prepared for the accident and what happens next. But one thing is for sure. It happens so fast. One minute you are shopping and before you know it, you are an accident victim.
If you or a family member are injured while shopping at a department store or grocery store in New Jersey, you need an experienced New Jersey injury lawyer to ensure you are fairly compensated. At My NJ Injury Lawyer Howard P. Lesnik, Esq., I fight to ensure my clients receive the benefits they are entitled to. I am experienced in negotiating with insurance companies and representing accident victims at stores and supermarkets throughout New Jersey.
Common Causes of Accidents at Department and Grocery Stores in NJ
While shopping, a patron may suddenly become an accident victim. Many hazards and dangerous conditions at department and grocery stores can lead to accidents:
- Wet and slippery floors and bathrooms
- Debris, garbage, merchandise, and food items on floors
- Uneven sidewalks, parking lots, or tripping hazards on floors
- Malfunctioning stairs, elevators, escalators and doorways
- Falling display cases and items
- Assault from an employee or other customer
What to do if You are Injured at a Department or Grocery Store in NJ
If you are involved in an accident at a department or grocery store, do not blame yourself. Many people are accustomed to thinking “accidents happen” and try to move on. If you are injured, do not try to be a hero and say you are okay, especially if you are not. The events after an accident may be hectic. You may feel embarrassed and try to leave the store to avoid further attention. Do not do this. This may wreck your accident claim if you are injured. Instead, seek the help and attention you need.
On the other hand, you may feel overwhelmed. Customers, employees, managers, and security personnel may have witnessed your fall. Make sure you get all their names and phone numbers. If anyone is a witness or tries to assist you, get their information. Make a full incident report, get the manager’s name, and get a copy of the report! Take pictures of the hazard or dangerous condition that caused your accident.
Have Your Attorney Get the Accident Video
In today’s day and age, most, if not all, grocery stores and department stores have surveillance systems with cameras both inside and outside their stores. This is primarily to protect the stores from destruction of merchandise, shoplifting and vandalism. However, the video from the store’s surveillance system can preserve the chain of events that caused the accident and your injuries. This is why it is imperative to immediately contact an experienced NJ injury Lawyer. Howard P. Lesnik, Esq., not only knows how to obtain the surveillance video, but can also ensure that the store is held responsible if they fail to preserve the video. If a store fails to preserve the video of an accident, an experienced attorney be able to have a judge tell the jury that the reason the store did not save the video is because it is damaging to the store’s case. In other words, the store lost or deleted the video because it is damaging to their case!
Popular Grocery and Department Stores in NJ
New Jersey is overwhelmed with department and grocery stores. Some of the biggest grocery stores include Whole Foods, Shoprite, Trader Joe’s, Wegman’s, Stop & Shop, Kings, Foodtown, Giant Gourmet, and Lidl. NJ top box and department stores include Macy’s, Nordstrom, Lord & Taylor, Walmart, Target, Home Depot, Lowes, CVS, Rite Aid, Home Goods, Bed Bath and Beyond, TJ Maxx, Bloomingdales, Marshalls and Fairway Market. However, an accident can occur at any store, mall, shopping outlet, no matter how big or small in NJ.
When to Contact an Attorney for a Grocery or Department Store Accident in NJ
An experienced NJ injury lawyer can assist you with your claim if you are injured in a grocery or department store. My NJ Injury lawyer can assist you with your medical bills, lost wages if you miss work, and compensation for your pain and suffering for any damages suffered from the accident. Common injuries include:
- Head injuries, including traumatic brain injuries
- Back and neck injuries
- Herniated discs
- Shoulder, arm, elbow, hand and wrist injuries
- Broken bones
- Leg, knee, foot and ankle injuries
- Injuries from Sidewalk Slips and Falls
- Joint and muscle tears and injuries
How Much Is My Department or Grocery Store Accident Worth?
The value of any slip and fall claim depends on many different factors. These include the extent of the injuries suffered, pain and suffering, and economic expenses including lost wages and medical bills. At MyNJInjuryLawyer, Howard P. Lesnik has vast experience in handling numerous accident cases. This allows me to evaluate the value of your claim to obtain the fairest settlement or jury verdict. In claims of significant injuries, I hire with medical experts, economic experts for lost and future wages, and functional capacity experts if you are no longer able to work due to your injuries. These experts prepare reports to calculate your damages for the insurance company or jury to advocate for your maximum compensation.
Contact MyNJInjuryLawyer
If you or a loved one suffered an injury in an accident at a grocery store or department store in NJ, you should contact an attorney familiar with handling these claims. My NJ Injury Lawyer Howard P. Lesnik, Esq. offers free strategy sessions to address any issue or questions you may have about your injury, medical bills or your accident claim.
Please contact NJ Injury Lawyer Howard Lesnik, Esq., immediately if you were involved in a grocery store or department store in NJ. I personally handle NJ personal injury cases on a regular basis. Please contact me now by email, by phoning 908.264.7701, or by completing the form to the right to schedule your complimentary 30-minute strategy session.
