big box store slip and fall accident injuries in Tennessee

Even if you do most of your shopping online, chances are you sometimes find yourself in the aisles of a nearby big box store. These warehouse-type retail outlets are sometimes convenient but unfortunately are also the sites of numerous accidents and injuries every year.

People injured on the premises of a big box store may be able to pursue compensation. Under Tennessee law, retailers have a duty to provide reasonably safe environments for patrons. If an unsafe condition existed and the store either knew or should have known about it, there is a strong case to be made that the store owes compensation to the injured person.

Some of the most common causes of injuries at big box stores include:

  • Pallets, stock boxes, wires, cords and merchandise being left in aisles where customers might trip over them
  • Poorly trained or unqualified employees using forklifts or other equipment to move merchandise
  • Liquids spilled on floors and not promptly cleaned up or marked as a hazard
  • Mop water or loose debris on floors creating a tripping or slipping hazard
  • Poorly maintained sidewalks and parking lots that are cracked and broken
  • Poorly lit parking lots that can be sites of falls and physical attacks

If you need to sue or otherwise make a claim against a big box store for injuries, be aware that major corporations take extreme measures to avoid paying compensation. The stores and their insurance companies may use delaying tactics and bad faith negotiations. Here are some tips for what to do and not do after an accident to make your case against the store as strong as possible:

  • Use your phone to take pictures of the scene — If shelves collapsed, or if liquid on the floor caused you to fall, take pictures. Gathering this evidence is important because the store will quickly repair the problem as though the danger never existed.
  • Do not give a recorded statement to the store manager — The same is true if you are contacted by an insurance adjuster. Instead, say that you prefer to talk to your attorney first.
  • Get medical attention promptly — Go to the hospital or doctor, get treated and follow all instructions for rehabilitation. This creates a solid medical record for use in your case.
  • Talk to a qualified attorney — A Tennessee premises liability lawyer will put the store on notice that they must preserve video and other evidence rather than destroy it.

Massengill, Caldwell & Coughlin, PC in Bristol, Sullivan County, Tennessee, has the knowledge, resources and experience to take on major big box store chains and win compensation for injured customers who reside throughout Upper East Tennessee and Southwest Virginia. Please call 423-797-6022 or contact us online to schedule a free consultation with an attorney at our office.