Many premises liability cases begin with a same-level fall. The people working at a business may have failed to keep the space in safe condition, leading to preventable incidents when people come to shop.
Those picking up cat litter or groceries generally expect retail establishments to be reasonably safe. Unfortunately, understaffing and cost-cutting measures frequently lead to unsafe property conditions at retail shops. Slip-and-falls are well-known, but trip-and-falls are also a common source of retail injuries.
Customers can sustain major injuries because they trip over something and fall. Trip-and-fall incidents could cause broken bones, soft tissue injuries and even traumatic brain injuries. The three hazards below are common causes of trip-and-fall incidents among those shopping at stores.
1. Exposed electrical cords
Businesses may add coolers or other equipment that require electrical supply. If there isn’t a nearby outlet, then an extension cord might be necessary. Businesses should generally secure power cords in locations where they are not tripping hazards or cover them to prevent tripping incidents. Power cords left in entranceways or run across aisles can lead to people tripping, falling and sustaining major injuries.
2. Unsecured rugs
Placing rugs at store entrances to collect dirt and absorb water is critical for facility safety. However, those rugs generally need routine cleaning to ensure they serve their intended purpose. Additionally, property owners or business managers need to ensure that they secure rugs so that they don’t become tripping hazards. Wrinkled or rumpled rugs can catch people’s feet on their way in or out of a store. They can cause same-level falls despite being present specifically to prevent such incidents.
3. Unshelved merchandise
Restocking is a constant obligation at most retail establishments. Employees replacing soup cans and other merchandise may get called away by managers or customers. The items they leave behind then become tripping hazards that could cause customer injuries. Anything knocked off of the shelves or dropped by other customers could also become tripping hazards.
While same-level falls may not be as severe as falls from an elevated location, they can still result in significant injuries, lost wages and property damage expenses. Pursuing a premises liability lawsuit after a trip-and-fall incident at a retail store can potentially help people to recoup their losses and move on with their lives after sustaining injuries due to unsafe store conditions.