Thousands of shoppers wait all year until the day after Thanksgiving, also known as Black Friday, to purchase certain items. It is because of this that the day is full of crushing crowds and dangerous shopping conditions. While people can usually avoid certain hazards by shopping with caution, the chaos of Black Friday can make it difficult for them to look out for themselves. If a store owner is negligent in providing a safe environment for Black Friday shoppers, accidents can happen that lead to serious injuries. This can include anything from broken bones to brain damage. When facing these situations, it is crucial to retain the services of an experienced personal injury attorney for help with your case.
Premises Liability
In the state of Pennsylvania, property owners are legally obligated to maintain safe premises for those who come onto it. While it is an employer’s responsibility to provide a safe work environment for employees, it is the job of the building owner to ensure the safety of visiting shoppers. This can be done by conducting proper routine inspections of the store and its outlying premises to be sure they are aware of any potential hazards when they arise, not after they already injure a shopper. Common hazards that can lead to dangerous accidents can include but are not limited to the following:
- Spilled liquids
- Uneven walkways
- Inadequate security
- Poor lighting
- Parking lot hazards
- Construction hazards
Proving Negligence
When a person sustains an injury due to the negligence of a store owner, they may wish to hold that party liable. With the assistance of an experienced personal injury attorney, this can be done by filing a personal injury claim. It is important to know that, throughout this process, the injured party is required to prove negligence by satisfying the burden of proof. This can be accomplished by answering the following two questions:
- Was the store owner aware of the danger?
- Should the store owner have reasonably known about the danger?
While it can be difficult to do this, a skilled attorney can help by demonstrating how the accident happened as well as the store owner’s failure to rectify a hazardous situation. This can be done with the proper evidence. Evidence may consist of any previously received constructive or actual notice. Constructive notice occurs if the owner failed to inspect the property while an actual notice is any record showing they knew the hazard existed.
Contact our Firm
Friedman Schuman is an experienced and dedicated legal resource for clients throughout Pennsylvania. We proudly serve clients facing a wide range of legal matters. If you require the services of an effective attorney, please contact Friedman Schuman today to schedule a consultation.
