Houston Slip and Fall in a Store Lawyer
A slip and fall accident in a store can leave you shaken, embarrassed, and seriously injured all at once. Fall injuries may cause bruising, broken bones, pain, and stiffness. Some symptoms, such as a concussion, may not be initially apparent to anyone except a trained medical professional. You should report the incident to store management and seek prompt medical attention to see if you have any injuries. If your injuries are significant, you should seek legal advice.
At Fibich, Leebron, Copeland & Briggs, our personal injury lawyers represent people in Houston who have suffered serious falls in retail stores. Our law firm has been in business for decades. Our slip and fall attorneys are board-certified to handle the most complex cases. Founding partner Tommy Fibich is board-certified in civil trial law and brings 50 years of legal experience to serving clients. We prepare matters for trial from day one. Please feel free to contact us for a free consultation.
Common Causes of Slips and Falls in Retail Stores
Retail hazards are usually simple problems that get overlooked or handled too late. For example, spilled liquid on the floor that isn’t cleaned up promptly may cause a slip-and-fall in a grocery store aisle. Common causes include:
- Wet floors near entrances, checkouts, and restrooms
- Leaking coolers, freezer condensation, and melting ice
- Loose mats, wrinkled rugs, or uneven flooring
- Boxes or cords obstructing an aisle
- Parking lot hazards or sidewalk hazards near the storefront
When these issues go unnoticed or unaddressed by store managers, customers may suffer serious fall injuries.
Who Is Liable for a Slip and Fall in a Store?
Liability after a retail fall usually depends on two things. Who was responsible for maintaining the area where the fall happened, and who had a chance to spot the hazard and deal with it before someone got hurt?
In some slip-and-fall accidents, responsibility lies with the store owner. In others, the property owner, or another business operating in the same space, is legally responsible when unsafe conditions lead to a fall that causes injuries.
Time works against injured people after a slip-and-fall incident. Stores clean floors, adjust warning signs, and reuse surveillance footage every day. Once relevant evidence is lost, it’s hard to reconstruct the accident scene. After seeking medical treatment, slip-and-fall victims should have an attorney for injuries at stores review the incident and discuss the legal options available.
I Fell at a Store – What Should I Do?
Our legal team often hears variations of the following question: “I fell at a store. What should I do?”
You should prioritize your health, then seek guidance to protect your legal rights. Step-by-step:
- Seek medical care as soon as possible and follow up if your symptoms change
- Report the fall incident to a manager and request a copy of the accident report
- Take photos of the accident scene area if you can do so safely
- Ask for witness names and contact information
- Save the shoes and clothing you wore that day
- Avoid recorded statements or signing papers presented by the store’s insurance company until you have spoken with a slip and fall attorney.
You need a clear record of what happened and how you felt afterward.
Types of Injuries Seen in Retail Slip and Falls
Retail falls can involve twisting, bracing, or head impact. Injuries we commonly see include:
- Wrist, arm, and shoulder fractures or ligament tears
- Hip, knee, and ankle injuries
- Back and neck injuries, including disc and nerve pain
- Concussions and other head injuries
- Deep bruising and soft-tissue injuries
- Headaches, poor sleep, and emotional distress about falling again
How a Houston Attorney for Injury at a Store Can Help
After a fall in a store, things start happening. A store manager fills out paperwork. Someone reviews the store video. An insurance company starts making conclusions based on what it sees. The store may dispute its responsibility for your medical expenses. If you don’t have legal representation, you may be left with medical bills and lost wages caused by an incident that is not your fault.
As a Houston attorney for injury at a store, the legal team at Fibich, Leebron, Copeland & Briggs will examine the accident scene, seek to preserve any video footage the retail store captured before it is overwritten, and identify the at-fault party under premises liability law. Our goal is to help you seek full and fair compensation for your losses.
Compensation You May Seek After a Slip and Fall in a Store
The compensation available after a slip and fall accident depends on the severity of your injuries and the losses you incurred. You may be entitled to file a slip and fall lawsuit and seek compensation for the following types of losses:
- Medical care and rehabilitation
- Prescription costs and medical equipment
- Lost income and future lost income from reduced earning ability
- Future care needs and help at home
Some losses don’t come with receipts. These are non-economic losses, including pain, emotional distress, sleep disruption, and a loss of quality of life caused by the injury.
Texas law does set time limits for filing a premises liability claim. In many situations, the time allowed to file a personal injury lawsuit is two years. You’ll need to consult with an attorney to understand your legal options as soon as possible.
Evidence That Strengthens a Texas Slip-and-Fall Claim
Stores and insurers may question how long a hazard has been present and whether anyone had time to notice it. Evidence helps answer those questions. Helpful evidence may include:
- Surveillance video and timestamps
- Photos of the hazard and the surrounding area
- Incident reports and manager notes
- Witness statements and contact information
- Cleaning schedules, inspection logs, and vendor records
- Medical records of an injury
Helpful Resources for Houston Residents After a Slip and Fall
Life can feel harder to manage while you recover. These resources can help with care and logistics:
- Houston Health Department
- Texas Health and Human Services
- Harris Health System
- Houston 311
- Local physical therapy or rehabilitation centers
- Transportation assistance programs for medical appointments
These services can help when getting to appointments feels difficult or when you need support beyond medical care.
Why Slip and Falls in Grocery Stores Require Extra Investigation
Grocery stores must make regular checks for possible hazards. A shopper may drop a bottle onto the floor, causing a spill. Water may puddle in the produce section when fresh produce is sprayed, creating a slippery floor. Frozen food freezers can sweat onto the floor. Grocery stores have a legal responsibility to regularly check the aisles for potential hazards to maintain safe premises.
An experienced premises liability attorney will seek to determine how long an unsafe condition had been present in a grocery store and whether store employees had a reasonable time to identify the hazardous condition and either correct it or post warning signs. If an injury attorney can establish that the store employees had a reasonable time to detect the hazard, but failed to do so, the attorney may show that the store management failed to meet its legal obligation to maintain safe premises.
Contact Our Houston Slip and Fall Attorneys for Help
A fall in a store can leave you dealing with pain, medical appointments, medical bills, and unanswered questions, all at once.
At Fibich, Leebron, Copeland & Briggs, we help people in Houston after serious retail falls. Our team includes board-certified trial lawyers. Our compassionate attorneys will take the time to understand what you’re dealing with and discuss how we can assist you. If you’d like a clear understanding of your legal options, contact our Houston slip-and-fall attorneys for a consultation.