What You Should Know About Department Store Accidents in Texas

A grocery store aisle in Texas features shelves filled with various beverages on the left and packaged goods on the right. The tiled floor gleams under fluorescent lights, casting a charged glow. At the end of the aisle, a person is seen shopping carefully.

Contrary to popular belief, department store accidents are common. If you were hurt in one, do not wait to reach out to our skilled Houston premises liability attorneys today.

What are the common causes of department store accidents in Texas?

There are many ways that an individual can be injured in a department store accident. However, the majority of them are as a result of store owner negligence. Some of the most typical causes our firm has seen includes:

  • Faulty stairs and escalators: Defective railings, broken or missing steps, inadequately maintained escalators, or mechanical malfunctions can cause injuries.
  • Falling merchandise: In many instances, patrons are most often injured by falling merchandise in department stores and supermarkets.
  • Slippery surfaces: If spills are left unattended, serious slip and fall accidents may occur.
  • Poor lighting: If areas are insufficiently lit, people often do not see certain safety hazards, causing them to trip/fall/bump into things, etc.
  • Dangerous parking lots: Uneven pavement, construction work, negligent signage, misdirected cars, criminal activity, and more are all general causes of parking lot accidents.
  • Defective sidewalks: Business owners are liable for ensuring any sidewalk they own is secure for walkers.

Who can be held liable for a department store accident?

In Texas, store owners and their employees are held to a standard of care. Essentially, store owners and employees have a duty to ensure that their property is safe for those who enter it. This can be done by making periodic checks of the premises to ensure that there are no hazards or dangerous conditions present. And, if there are, they must be corrected as soon as possible. If these inspections are not performed, or a hazard is not cleared in time, customers can become seriously injured as a result. If this happens, the store owner and employees can be found negligent by the court and thus held accountable. Reach out to our experienced Houston premises liability attorneys today to learn more.

What is the statute of limitations in Texas?

It is important to recognize that Texas has deadlines imposed for most personal injury claims. The statute of limitations for a personal injury claim is typically two years. This means that if you fail to file within two years from the date of the accident, you will likely lose the opportunity to recover the compensation you deserve.

If you or a loved one has been injured in a department store in Texas, contact our experienced firm today.

CONTACT OUR EXPERIENCED HOUSTON FIRM

We understand how challenging various legal matters can be, which is why we have dedicated ourselves to helping clients in Texas through a wide array of legal matters, including personal injury law and criminal defense. If you have sustained a serious injury or are facing criminal charges, contact the Gonzalez Law Group today to learn more about how we can help you through every step of the legal process ahead.