The term “big box store” refers to physically large retail establishments, which are usually part of a regional or national chain. Walmart, Target, Sam’s Club, and Costco are all examples of big-box stores. The advantage of big-box stores? They generally allow customers to shop for a variety of items at one location. These stores carry just about anything a person might need: groceries, clothing, sporting goods, home improvement, electronics, stationary, and more.

But big-box stores require a lot of staff, due to their square footage and the volume of business they do. It can sometimes be difficult for customers to find a staff member to assist them—and this is a problem when it comes to customer safety. With so much space, it’s easy for an unsafe condition to go unnoticed and neglected for a substantial amount of time.

Unsafe conditions like spills, freshly-mopped floors, and debris in aisles can often result in slip-and fall-accidents for a customer. And they aren’t funny.

Fall Injuries Are No Joke

While many people think slipping, skidding, or tripping will only cause a skinned knee, bruising, and some embarrassment, the truth is they can leave a victim with life-altering injuries. Let’s look at a few examples:

In 2017, an Alabama man had a serious fall in his neighborhood Walmart. The accident shattered his hip and changed him from a physically active person to one restricted by a walker. A review of security camera footage showed that a number of customers had also suffered falls caused by the same wooden pallet at a display, and that the store had taken no steps to remedy the situation. The man sued and was awarded a $7.5 million settlement.

In another case involving Walmart, a Colorado man slipped on a grease spill and suffered debilitating injuries. City records revealed that the particular store had been sued for the same unsafe issues before. The man was awarded $10 million.

At an unnamed store in Pennsylvania, a man fell down an unmarked step and hit his eye on a chair. The accident blinded him. He recovered $7.7 million.

What Premises Liability Has to Do With It

These lawsuits fall under the concept of premises liability. Legally, this means that an owner or manager of a property has a duty to keep that property reasonably safe for lawful visitors. If the owner or manager knew, or should have known, of an unsafe condition on the property and took no steps to fix it, they can be held liable for any injuries that condition caused.

It’s important to understand that premises liability isn’t limited to inside a store, but extends to the store’s entire property, including parking lots and garages, sidewalks, and more.

Big-Box Stores Mean Big Lawyers

Large companies like the ones mentioned above keep high-priced lawyers on call to defend themselves against personal injury claims. Their job is to deny or diminish any payout they make to you, the victim of their negligence. Don’t try to take these multi-million dollar corporations on yourself. Instead, seek the representation of an aggressive L.A. slip-and-fall injury attorney.

If you’ve been injured in a Los Angeles-area name-brand store, call the compassionate legal team at Novik Law Group, A Professional Law Corporation, for a free case evaluation. Dial (888) 355-5552today.