What If You Slip and Fall In Target?
For many people, a trip to a “big box” retailer such as Target is just a part of their weekly routine. The wide range of products and services offered by these retailers, coupled with their ubiquitous locations, make them a quite literal one-stop-shop for everything from groceries to consumer electronics. But these stores can also be hazard areas for slip and fall accidents. Malloy Law Offices wants to inform you of your rights if you’ve been injured after a slip and fall in Target.
A Brief Overview of the Target Corporation
Target began life in 1962 as the discount division of the now-defunct Dayton’s department store. The Minnesota-based retail giant has enjoyed steady growth in both its brand visibility and profit margins, especially in urban markets. In 2021, Target operated a total of 1,926 stores in the United States. Target was also listed 37th on the 2020 Fortune 500 list of largest US corporations by total revenue. Given the vast resources at the corporation’s disposal, you could be forgiven for thinking that a private citizen has little hope of winning compensation for an injury suffered in a Target store. But this is not the case. The law offers protection and legal recourse to all victims of negligence. The size and wealth of the negligent party does not exempt them. But what exactly constitutes negligence and how can it be proved?
Understanding Premises Liability
If you have suffered an injury and plan to seek compensation for your medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering from the property owner, it falls under the category of premises liability. In order to conduct a successful premises liability case, it is essential to prove negligence on the part of the property owner or their staff. Owners and operators of private property have a duty of care to keep their property safe for visitors. If the property owner knows about a dangerous condition, does not inform guests of this condition, and some or all of the guests are injured as a result, this constitutes negligence. In the case of a slip and fall in Target, this may take the form of:
- wet floors without proper warning signs
- improperly secured or defective shelving
- tripping or slipping hazards left on the floor in aisles
- Uneven or loose floor tiles
Proving Negligence
So how does one go about proving negligence? Even with the law on your side, you may face an uphill battle. Premises liability lawsuits often face unfair stigma. Responsible parties are quick to suggest that any injury sustained is the result of individual clumsiness or imprudence rather than their own negligence. A large corporation like target will no doubt resort to these strong-arm tactics when attempting to deny victims a settlement or intimidate them into settling for less than they are owed.
While your first priority after an accident should always be your own health, it’s also crucial to assemble all available fact-based evidence to prove negligence beyond a reasonable doubt. This may include:
- Photos of the scene of the accident as it was at the time of your injury
- Security camera footage
- Witness statements
- Photos of your own injuries in the immediate aftermath of your accident
- Written statements or verbal testimony from any and all medical professionals involved in your treatment
If You Slip and Fall In Target
Even with the law and evidence on your side, you may find you’re facing hurdles to seeking fair compensation after suffering a slip and fall in Target. Target obviously has its own attorneys, who will do everything in their power to drive down the value of your personal injury settlement. It may also be unclear whether your case should list the store itself or the broader corporation as a defendant. Target may also have a pre-existing policy concerning slip and fall accidents, which you may be entirely unaware of. An experienced personal injury attorney can help you navigate your case, freeing you to focus on your recovery.
Malloy Law Offices is home to DC, Maryland, and Virginia’s premises liability specialists. Our experienced and diverse legal team understands the nuances of slip and fall cases. They can pursue the maximum possible compensation on your behalf. Our firm has won for our clients time and time again by stressing empathy for the injured and personalized attention for each cases. Don’t let large corporate interests like Target bully you into giving up your right to compensation, contact Malloy Law today to get started.