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A Retail Store Owner Lawyer Can Help You File Premises Liability Claims

Retail stores often face premises liability lawsuits when their customers are hurt. This is because retail owners have a duty to keep their property in reasonably safe condition and must take steps to prevent any foreseeable harm to their guests. However, many stores do not meet this duty. This can lead to a wide variety of injuries that require medical treatment, out-of-pocket expenses, and compensation for pain and suffering. If you have been injured at a store, an experienced New York City retail store owner lawyer may be able to help you pursue damages from the responsible parties.

What Counts as the Store Premises?

Depending on where you live, the legal definition of the store’s “premises” can vary. Generally, the store’s premises include the retail space itself as well as parking lots and loading areas. It can also extend to merchandise display areas and checkout counters. Whether the hazard that caused your accident was located within these areas is likely to be a key issue in your case.

The legal theory behind store-related premises liability cases is that a store owner or occupier must have notice of a dangerous condition and take steps to eliminate it or warn people of it. A general standard of negligence holds that someone must be held liable if they know or should have known that harm could foreseeably occur due to their acts or omissions. However, since most slip-and-fall accidents are preventable in the first place, the more stringent pure contributory negligence standard is usually applied in these cases.

Stores are obligated to inspect their properties for any potential dangers and must take reasonable steps to mitigate them when they do find them. Often, this means simply putting out warning signs to inform people of the danger. For example, if a floor has been mopped and is slippery, it is reasonable to put out yellow cones to inform visitors of the risk. However, many store employees are not properly trained and may fail to do so or they may simply ignore the hazards that they see.

Even when a store owner takes the necessary precautions, there are other factors that can cause an injury. For instance, a defective product sold at the store or an escalator or elevator that breaks down can result in serious personal injuries. These types of claims are based on product liability laws and will require the expertise of a knowledgeable lawyer.

If you are injured at a retail store, it is crucial that you contact an experienced New York City retail store owner lawyer as soon as possible. An attorney can anticipate the strategies that stores and their insurers will use to minimize or deny your claim and develop powerful counter-arguments to protect your rights. A qualified attorney can also file your claim on your behalf, freeing you to focus on recovering from your injuries. Do not speak to any insurance company representatives before speaking to your lawyer, as you may say something that can damage your case.

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