December 6, 2018 | By Polito & Harrington LLC
Slip and Falls During Holiday Shopping
The holiday season is upon us, and that means that there’s a lot of hustle and bustle going on out there. This is especially true when it comes to shopping. There isn’t a shopping center, mall, grocery store, or parking lot that isn’t nearly at capacity at this time of year. And with all of this holiday commotion, the potential for dangerous slip and fall accidents skyrockets. When you head out to join the throngs of other holiday shoppers, always put safety first.
The Holidays
Connecticut is idyllic during holidays. After all, our beautiful state offers the perfect backdrop for holiday festivities. A winter wonderland like ours, however, can also contribute to serious slip and fall accidents. With winter, comes ice, snow, sleet, and rain, and the outdoor debris that so often gets tracked inside with such weather. Damp, debris-riddled floors and walkways are perfect breeding grounds for slip and fall accidents. Fortunately, in many cases victims can recover compensation for their accident-related losses, so it’s important to consult with an attorney about your legal options.
The holidays are hectic, and holiday shopping can be even more so. When you mix in wintery weather, the risk of slip and fall accidents goes way up. Stores are, nevertheless, responsible for taking reasonable precautions related to keeping their premises safe for their customers. During the holidays, these reasonable precautions are even more important and include taking the weather and the increased number of shoppers into consideration.
Slip and Fall Accidents
The term “slip and fall: doesn’t have a particularly scary ring to it, but it’s important to recognize that these accidents are often extremely serious and often result in severe injuries. If you slip and fall while shopping this holiday season, be aware that injuries can develop over time—seek medical attention to rule out a potentially serious injury. When you take a tumble, it’s natural to want to blame your own “two left feet”—out of politeness—but this isn’t in your best interest. Someone else’s negligence has caused you to be injured, and it’s important to your personal injury claim to establish this cause and effect at the outset (whenever possible).
Common Causes of Slip and Fall Accidents
Every slip and fall accident is unique to its own set of circumstances, but there are several situations that often cause them:
- Cold, wet weather that leaves parking lots, walkways, entryways, and shopping aisles slippery
- Poorly maintained public areas
- Cluttered walkways
The increased hubbub of the holidays typically exacerbates all of these situations. Shoppers beware.
If holiday shopping’s got you down—literally—you need experienced legal counsel. Slip and fall accidents can lead to serious injuries, and your rights matter. The dedicated legal team at Polito & Harrington, LLC, in New London, Connecticut, has the experience, knowledge, and skill to help guide your claim toward its most beneficial resolution. We’re here to help, so please contact or call us at (860) 447-3300 for a free consultation and case evaluation today.