If you have been injured in a slip and fall accident at Aéropostale, you may be wondering what to do next. You need an injury lawyer to advise you. Work with an experienced professional who understands the complexities of these types of cases. Even better, work with a team of personal injury lawyers with a reputation for delivering results.
At Gould Injury Lawyers, our Connecticut team has served injured persons for decades. Our team understands the complexities of representing clients against big chain stores. We prioritize private settlements to reduce stress for our clients, but we’re also not afraid to go to trial when necessary.
What Are Slip-and-Fall Accidents?
Slip-and-fall accidents, also known as trip and fall accidents, can happen anywhere. They refer to any accident that causes someone to lose footing and fall. The injured person might fall to the ground, down flights of stairs or for greater distances.
What Are Common Slip-and-Fall Injuries At Aéropostale?
Because of the many different ways slip-and-fall accidents can occur, types of injuries vary widely. Some people suffer no injuries at all while others could face lifelong disabilities or lose their lives. Consider the following examples:
- Fractures or broken bones
- Head injuries or brain injury
- Spinal cord injuries
- Muscle sprains and strains
- Punctures or cuts
Who Is Responsible for Your Slip-and-Fall Accident?
Only after a thorough investigation can anyone determine what caused the accident. Even if you think you know what led to your fall, reviewing all the evidence can provide greater insights into what happened and why. Consider the following possibilities.
1. Aéropostale
If you suffer a fall inside the store, the business becomes the most likely responsible party. This stems from the fact that the store has a legal obligation to see to the safety of its visitors and customers. In some cases, businesses even need to consider the safety of trespassers.
2. Another Brand
Sometimes, people slip and fall because of wardrobe malfunctions. For example, the heel of your shoe could fail and send you plummeting to the ground. While the accident occurred inside the store, your lawyer might recommend filing a claim against the manufacturer of the shoe, which might not be Aéropostale.
3. Another Customer
An unfortunate fact of life is that some people feel compelled to commit random acts of chaos and violence. For example, someone could deliberately push you, causing you to trip and fall down the escalator in an Aéropostale store. If proven responsible for the act, this person could face both criminal and civil penalties.
4. Vendors
Did a rail break under your weight as you descended the stairs? Did you slip on wet floors? Did security negligence cause someone to enter the store and assault customers? Aéropostale vendors, such as the janitorial company or security company, could become liable.
5. You
After reviewing all the evidence, it might show that you have a role to play in the accident. For example, you could have failed to tie your shoelace and the laces got caught in a faulty escalator. Fortunately, Connecticut law allows injured persons to still seek compensation as long as they were not mostly at fault.
What Are Some Types of Slip-And-Fall Personal Injury Cases?
The many potentially responsible parties and their relationship to the injured persons can also create a wide range of personal injuries. Consider the following possibilities.
1. Premises Liability
If Aéropostale failed to make the property safe for you and your loved ones, then your attorney might pursue a premises liability case. This type of case bases the claim on the fact that the company has a legal obligation to create a space that is reasonably free of hazards; otherwise, it should properly warn customers.
2. Negligent Security
An Aéropostale store could choose not to hire enough security officers to meet its needs. Security protocol could also allow officers to leave without relief, which could create instances when no security is in the building. Should an emergency occur that the lack of security caused or worsened, it might become grounds for a strong negligent security case.
3. Workplace Accidents
If Aéropostale employs you, this drastically changes the nature of the case. It also changes how your attorney might pursue a claim on your behalf. You might also face some restrictions on whether you can file a lawsuit against your employer for the accident.
4. Products Liability
If an Aéropostale product led to your injury in the store, it could become a products liability case. Companies do have a legal obligation to create safe products for their customers. The shoe example above would fall into this category.
5. Wrongful Death
If you lost your loved one to the accident, then it becomes a wrongful death claim. Your attorney would then need to determine who is eligible to file a claim. This usually includes spouses, dependents and closely related family members. Whether the deceased died on the job or was a customer also makes a difference.
What Should You Do After a Slip-And-Fall Accident at Aéropostale?
Each accident case is different, so there is no one-size-fits-all set of steps to follow. In some cases, the injured person could be unconscious and unable to follow any of these steps at the time. Even so, consider these general best practices.
1. Seek Medical Attention
No matter how minor your injuries might feel at the time, seek medical care. Only an experienced doctor can tell you whether you truly escaped unscathed. Keep in mind that, in many instances, injuries remain dormant until the adrenaline wears off or until another incident triggers them. Should you fail to seek treatment, you could worsen your injuries and the court may hold you partially liable.
2. Report the Accident
Report the accident to Aéropostale store management or security personnel as soon as it happens. This can help with later steps in filing an injury claim and proving that things happened as you said they did. Whenever possible, ask for the security footage. Do not sign any paperwork until speaking to an attorney.
3. Document What Happened
Keeping a record of what happened is critical for injury lawyers when trying to build a strong case for you. Take photos of the scene, where you fell, your injuries and anything else relevant to the accident. Write down everything you remember. Get the names and contact information of anyone who saw what happened.
4. Keep All Medical Records and Bills
Your records will help substantiate your injury claim and prove that you sought the necessary treatment. It also documents the exact amount you spent on bills, the specific injuries you suffered and the prognosis from your doctor.
5. Contact a Slip-and-Fall Injury Lawyer
It’s important to contact an injury lawyer as soon as possible. This experienced professional can guide you through the process of filing a claim or the person can handle it all on your behalf while you recover. Most legal professionals agree that the best time to contact a personal injury lawyer is as soon as possible.
Why Should You Choose Our Connecticut Personal Injury Lawyers?
At Gould Injury Lawyers, our team can help you understand your legal rights and options. We work hard to get you the compensation you deserve for your injuries to cover medical expenses, lost wages, emotional distress and other qualifying expenses.
It all starts with a free consultation. In fact, we charge no fees unless we win. Contact us, so we can review your case.
If you suffered injuries due to a slip and fall at any of the following commercial establishments, our personal injury attorneys could help with your case: