Five Tips to Consider When Suing a Store for Your Slip and Fall Injury

Monday, June 20, 2016

Five Tips to Consider When Suing a Store for Your Slip and Fall Injury

Written by Malman Law, reviewed by Steve J. Malman.

Chicago Slip-and-Fall Lawsuit Attorney

Slip and fall injuries are common in retail stores. Whether they are caused by wet flooring, uneven carpeting, cluttered walkways, or even icy sidewalks, they prompt hundreds of claims each year in the state of Illinois. But, if you slip and fall in a store, how do you go about filing a claim against that retail location – and who do you file the claim against? There are multiple parties that could technically be at-fault for your slip and fall injury. This is why it is critical that you first identify those at-fault parties, and also speak with a personal injury attorney.

Things to Keep in Mind When Suing a Store Location

If you have been injured in a slip and fall accident at a retail store, there are a few things that you need to keep in mind before filing your claim. These things include:

1. Seek medical attention right away. If you have been injured in a slip and fall accident, receive medical attention for your injuries as soon as possible. Getting an accurate diagnosis and treatment could not only lessen how those injuries affect your life, but starting medical records early will help preserve your claim.
2. Identify witnesses, or look for surveillance. If you have a slip and fall injury, most likely there is someone who saw the incident. This could be a physical witness or a surveillance camera – since most retail locations have some sort of security camera installed. Finding surveillance footage could be the key piece of evidence that establishes the legitimacy of your claim.
3. Be prepared for defenses. A retail store owner is likely to have an entire law firm ready to represent him or her against injury claims. To fight your slip and fall allegations, that firm will use defenses that include stating that there was no dangerous situation present – instead, you caused your own accident. They may also state that they took measures to correct the hazardous situation, or try to argue that the hazard was not what caused your injury.
4. Be prepared for federal court. Often, retailers will move their cases to federal court, because they assume that federal courts are more lenient toward stores – and juries are more likely to give higher compensation value on the state level.
5. Hire an attorney before you file your claim. While you may think that your slip and fall injury is straightforward, retail locations take on similar claims annually; therefore, they are prepared to do what it takes to lower your settlement. Hiring an attorney is the best way to ensure that you receive compensation for your injuries.

Speak with an Illinois Slip and Fall Injury Attorney

If you have been seriously injured in a slip and fall accident at a retail store location, contact the attorneys at Malman Law. We can assist you with your claim. Our attorneys have years of experience handling injury claims against retailers – big and small – and we will make sure that you receive compensation for your medical bills, lost wages, and suffering. Call now to schedule a free consultation at (888) 625-6265 or fill out our online contact form with your legal questions.