Dollar Store Negligence: How Overcrowded Shelves and Unsafe Floors Cause Accidents

Dollar stores like Family Dollar and Dollar Tree are popping up everywhere, and Kingstree has more than its fair share. While these enterprises offer convenience and potential bargains, they tend to cut safety corners in relation to floor plans, shelf stocking, and floor maintenance. If you’ve been injured in a related accident, it’s time to consult with our experienced Kingstree personal injury attorney at the Law Offices of Cezar McKnight.

Dollar Stores and Common Safety Concerns

The overall business plan of discount retailers like Family Dollar and Dollar Tree is rapid inventory turnover, which requires heavy store traffic. While this is a great strategy for generating revenue, it can also set the stage for dangerous accidents, including slipping and falling and accidents involving falling objects. There are several important concerns.

Frequent Stocking and Restocking of Overly Full Shelves 

Most dollar stores are in what amounts to perpetual motion, but they also tend to be understaffed. This means that the shelves are being stocked and restocked on repeat, and as a result, the risk of related accidents spikes. Common causes include:

• Merchandise that falls from shelves
• Spilled merchandise that results in tripping hazards
• Aisles that are difficult to navigate freely
• Boxes and carts full of inventory that are left scattered about the store in the process of restocking

Crowded Floor Plans

Dollar stores are generally relatively small, but they are intended to move high volumes of product. This means that their floor plans are typically crowded to begin with, which translates to less space for customers to safely maneuver through the aisles. Further, the associated risks are amplified by overflowing shelves.

Unsafe Floors

Sometimes, the floors in discount stores are dangerous due to risk factors that go unattended, including spills, moisture and debris that’s tracked in from outside, and obstacles in aisles. In other instances, however, unsafe floors are the culprit.

This can be a result of bunched, cracked, ripped, torn, or otherwise worn flooring. Additional concerns include uneven flooring, awkward transitions from space to space, and inadequate lighting. Walking surfaces can also become overly slippery from overuse or inadequate maintenance.

Protect Yourself and Your Claim

If you’ve been injured as a result of a dollar store’s negligence, there are important steps you should take to protect your health and to strengthen your claim, including:

• Don’t wait to seek the medical attention that you need, and take your doctor’s advice and instructions seriously
• Consult with a reputable personal injury lawyer early on
• Trust your legal counsel to speak on your behalf, which helps to ensure that the insurance company won’t use your own words to dismantle your claim
• Take a break from social media until your claim is finalized

Turn to Our Experienced Kingstree, SC, Personal Injury Lawyer for the Help You Need

Cezar McKnight is our capable Kingstree personal injury attorney at the Law Offices of Cezar McKnight, and he dedicates his imposing practice to skillfully guiding challenging claims involving dollar stores toward favorable resolutions that honor our clients’ rights. Learn more by contacting us online or giving our firm a call at 843-374-4529 today.