3 Common Places Knoxville Shoppers Get Hurt and What to Do After a Retail Store Accident
Shopping is usually an ordinary part of everyday life. However, a trip to the grocery store, shopping center, or other Knoxville retailer can sometimes end with an unexpected injury. A Knoxville shopper might slip on a spill, trip near a store entrance, or encounter a dangerous condition in a parking lot. When this happens, questions may arise about what caused the accident and whether the store or another property owner may be responsible.
To help Knoxville shoppers better protect themselves, and their rights under Tennessee law, here we discuss three common places where Knoxville shoppers can get hurt, what you can do after an accident, and when it may be helpful to speak with a Knoxville premises liability lawyer.
1. Inside Grocery and Retail Stores
Grocery stores and other Knoxville retailers can have a variety of potential hazards. Spilled drinks, leaking products, recently cleaned floors, merchandise left in aisles, and damaged flooring can cause shoppers to slip or trip. Shoppers can also be injured when merchandise falls from shelves or displays.
These accidents can happen quickly. A Knoxville shopper may not notice a clear liquid on the floor, a small object in an aisle, or an unstable product above them until it is too late to avoid an accident.
2. Store Entrances and Exits
Store entrances and exits can also be common locations for Knoxville retail store accidents. Rainwater may be tracked inside on wet days, creating slippery floors near the doors. Floor mats can become folded, bunched, or displaced and create a tripping hazard.
Shoppers may also encounter uneven flooring, damaged thresholds, or other changes in the walking surface as they enter or leave a store. Because these areas often have heavy foot traffic, even a relatively small hazard can result in a serious fall.
3. Store and Shopping Center Parking Lots
Some Knoxville retail store accidents happen before a shopper ever makes it through the store’s doors. Parking lots and the walkways around Knoxville stores may contain potholes, cracks, broken pavement, uneven curbs, or other hazards that can cause someone to trip and fall.
Poor lighting can make these conditions more difficult to see, particularly when shopping after dark. Knoxville shoppers can also be injured while walking between parked vehicles or moving between a parking lot, sidewalk, and store entrance.
What Should You Do After a Knoxville Retail Store Accident?
If you are hurt while shopping at a retail store in Knoxville, your health should come first. Seek appropriate medical attention, report the accident, and keep records related to your injuries and medical treatment.
It is also important not to wait too long before learning about your legal options. Tennessee law establishes that premises liability claims must typically be brought within one year, however the deadline can vary depending on the circumstances. Accordingly, if you are unsure whether a store or property owner may be responsible for your injuries, it is best to reach out to an experienced Knoxville premises liability lawyer.
Getting Legal Help in Knoxville
Retail accidents can leave Knoxville shoppers dealing with injuries, medical expenses, missed work, and questions about what to do next.
The experienced Knoxville premises liability lawyers at Fox Farley Willis & Burnette PLLC fight for the rights of Knoxville retail store accident victims. If you were injured while shopping in Knoxville, contact Fox Farley Willis & Burnette PLLC today to discuss your case and learn more about your legal rights and options.