Costco Slip and Fall Injury Lawyers

Hiring a Slip and Fall Injury Attorney in Your Area

Costco is a popular location to shop, and many people enjoy their experience in these stores. However, the crowds that are often in the store can make accidents more likely, as well as employees and store managers overlooking or ignoring hazardous situations. If you or a loved one has been injured in a slip and fall accident in Costco, it’s important to know you have options.

Depending on your situation, you may be eligible to seek compensation for your pain and suffering. Working with an experienced attorney is the best way to understand your legal options and make the best decision for you. LegalFinders is here to help—call us today and we will connect you with a law firm that can start working on your case.

Let LegalFinders Connect You With an Experienced Accident Lawyer

Costco is a well-known store with various locations throughout the state of Florida. These locations are built like large warehouses where people can shop for various items, including food, beverages, home appliances, and clothing. The stores also often have large parking lots surrounding them to allow their ample customers to park and visit the store. While Costco is certainly a great place to shop, accidents such as a slips and falls can happen there.

If you were injured in a slip and fall accident in a Costco store, you may be wondering what your next steps should be. In most cases, you’ll need to file a claim with Costco’s insurance provider. You can also inform your insurance company of the situation so they’re aware of what’s happening and can open a claim for you if needed. The downside of filing a claim with a Costco insurance company is that these companies are very large and receive numerous claims per day. What this means for you is that it could take weeks or even months for your claim to get reviewed by an agent and approved. Some companies also work in bad faith and use tactics to minimize or deny customer claims. This can result in you not receiving the compensation you deserve for your injuries.

Going through the claims process can be a long and drawn-out process, so partnering with a personal injury lawyer is a good idea. LegalFinders has an extensive network of legal professionals located throughout the nation and can help you find one that’s best for your unique situation. The attorney we connect you with will perform a case review and offer legal advice based on what they think your next steps should be.

 

Common Causes of Slip and Fall Accidents in Costco

Because Costco is such a large store, there are several opportunities for hazards to arise. These hazards may be present either inside or outside and can pose a threat to shoppers. For example, if an employee doesn’t properly alert customers to a wet floor, they could slip on the floor and end up falling. Common reasons why accidents happen in Costco include:

• Blocked walking areas that should be open
• Loose flooring, such as loose tiles that move when someone walks over them
• Items in the aisles or on the ground where shoppers walk
• Misuse or absence of caution signs to alert customers of a hazard on the floor or in the area
• Missing ramps and handrails that assist customers in and outside of the store
• Slippery or wet floors, such as from spillage or rain brought in by shoes

In many cases, the manager, Costco employees, or property owner is at fault for these situations because of their negligence. When filing a claim, it will be important to prove that the store workers or owner were negligent for the best chance at winning a fair settlement.

 

Potential Injuries You Can Sustain in a Slip and Fall Accident

The injuries a person sustains are based on several factors, including the flooring they fell on, the position in which they fell, and whether they tripped over larger objects that impacted their fall. For example, if a person was already squatting down when they fell, they would likely suffer much less severe injuries than someone who was walking and slipped. Potential injuries incurred in a slip and fall accident include:

• Spinal cord injuries
• Traumatic brain injuries or head injuries
• Concussions
• Broken bones
• Fractures
• Ankle or wrist sprains
• Pulled muscles
• Whiplash
• Bruises and lacerations
• Wrongful death

These injuries and others can qualify you to file a claim with Costco’s insurance company. It’s important to file the claim as soon as possible following the accident, so finding a trusted attorney early on is an important step.

Steps to Take After a Costco Slip and Fall Accident

There are a few things you can do immediately after the slip and fall accident to increase your likelihood of winning sufficient compensation. These steps include:

• Contact emergency services: Emergency service should be alerted and come to the scene of the accident regardless of if you feel injured. They will perform a physical assessment and determine whether you’ve sustained injuries and if you should go to the emergency room. Even if you don’t feel injured, you should still go to the ER if it’s recommended, as some injuries can take a while to make themselves known. Keep all documentation related to medical treatment and medical bills associated with your injuries from the fall.
• Talk to witnesses: If there was anyone who saw the accident, ask them to provide a written report of what they saw and the details surrounding the incident. You can also collect their contact information, such as their full name, their phone number, and their address. These statements can support your case, and you should submit them with your claim.
• Inform the Costco manager: If someone has not already alerted the store manager about the incident, be sure to inform them of the situation. They will need to fix or close off the area to ensure other customers aren’t harmed. You can also let them know that you plan to file a claim, and they may be able to provide you with information on how to get in contact with the insurance company.
• Take pictures: Pictures can help you show the insurance company the cause of the accident, where the accident happened, and the injuries you sustained. Take as many pictures as necessary and send them in with your claim.

 

Reasons to Work With a Lawyer on Your Slip and Fall Case

There are several good reasons to work with a personal injury or accident attorney on your case. Some of the most important reasons include:

• They negotiate directly with the insurance company on your behalf, which can help reduce the stress of the situation and ensure a legal professional is overseeing compensation negotiations.
• They will perform an investigation to prove your case, which is necessary to receive a settlement for your slip and fall accident.
• You will likely have a better chance at getting compensation for your pain and suffering, as a lawyer will do everything in their power to win your case.

 

Proving Negligence in a Slip and Fall Case

Proving negligence is required in order for you to win a settlement with the insurance company. Your attorney does this by completing a thorough investigation of your personal injury case. What they are required to prove is that:

• There was a hazardous condition on the Costco property
• The property owner had knowledge of the condition
• The property owner failed to take steps to fix the hazardous condition or inform customers of potential danger
• The hazardous condition caused your injuries and losses.

Based on your attorney’s findings, they will start building a premises liability or personal injury claim for you.

 

Compensation Types You May Receive for Your Slip and Fall Accident

After negligence is proven your attorney can then begin negotiating what you’ll receive compensation for. Your lawyer may look to you for how much they should ask for or will base what they ask for off of the documentation and medical records in your claim. Types of compensation you may receive include:

• Compensation for medical expenses
• Compensation for future medical needs, such as physical therapy
• Compensation for lost wages due to an inability to work while recuperating
• Compensation for pain and suffering or wrongful death

 

How LegalFinders Can Work to Find You the Most Qualified Personal Injury Attorney in Your Area

LegalFinders works to help victims of slip and fall accidents throughout the nation thanks to our network of experienced law firms and lawyers. We can connect you with an attorney who has worked with cases like yours before and who is located in your area. They can provide you with a free consultation about your case and assist you in determining what your next steps should be.