Retailers have a duty to make sure the property is safe for customers and employees. This includes diligence in removing hazards or fixing anything that could potentially cause harm. When the premises poses a hazard and someone is injured, the injured party could be eligible to receive compensation for the company’s negligence.

Arizona uses a comparative system in determining liability for personal injury cases. This means that even if a person is somewhat at fault for their injury, they will still be able to recover damages. The monetary award will be reduced according to the portion of fault the victim bears. For example, if it’s determined the victim is 50% at fault for the $5,000 in damages, the victim will be awarded $2,500.

Potential Liabilities in Retail Businesses

Although most retailers are responsible and careful, negligence does occur from time to time in retail businesses. Here are some potential safety hazards that are considered potential liabilities:

• Wet floors: In retail, wet floors can exist due to cleaning or spillage. Employees should be cleaning the floors in a way that doesn’t leave puddles behind. They are also required to have some sort of warning and sign prominently displayed, warning customers about the wet floor.
• Hazardous floor mats: Floor mats are a great way to catch dirt, mud, and rain at the entrance and keep the floors and carpeting clean. But when they’re old and worn out, they can be a fall risk. Older floor mats tend to curl up at the ends and bunch up more easily. Staff should be monitoring the condition of the floor mats to prevent injuries.
• Uneven pavement: Business property owners are responsible for ensuring that their parking lots and walkways are even and free of cracks or loose materials. Tripping over cracks and holes in the pavement are common ways that customers sustain injuries.
• Poor lighting: Retail owners should be checking the status of their light bulbs regularly to ensure adequate lighting for their customers. Dim or non-existent lighting can lead to poor visibility and results in accidental falls or other injuries.

What to Do After a Retail Injury

If you are injured in a retail store, it is important to immediately report the incident and then seek medical treatment. If you don’t report the incident to a manager and ensure that it’s documented, the retailer may dispute the incident occurred. Similarly, if you delay your medical treatment, the retailer may dispute that you were injured. If you experience an incident or injury in a retail business, it’s wise to have a personal injury lawyer on your side. Izzy Yetnikoff has extensive experience dealing with retail injury claims. If you’ve been injured at a retail business, call Izzy Yetnikoff at Yetnikoff Law Offices, PLLC for help. Call us at 800-279-6331 or visit us online for more information.