Slip-and-Fall Injuries at Discount Stores: When Poor Store Maintenance Leads to Lawsuits

Discount stores are a big draw. They offer lower prices in exchange for a no-frills shopping experience. Sometimes, however, they are more costly than you could ever imagine. If you slipped, fell, and were injured in a discount store because of its inadequate upkeep, help is available. Turn to our experienced Kingstree, SC, slip and fall accident attorney at the Law Office of Cezar McKnight.

Extreme Discount Store Risks

Discount stores advertise slashed prices, which many customers find very inviting. To maintain lower prices, you can count on them to put very little effort into the maintenance of their stores and safety of their customers.

In fact, several hallmarks of discount stores that can lead to slip and fall accidents include the following:

• High traffic that can be chaotic
• Narrow aisles
• Poorly organized design
• Stock that is haphazardly displayed, that interferes with foot traffic, or that is randomly scattered
• Spills that are left unattended
• Inadequate lighting
• Faulty maintenance
• Failure to clear away moisture and debris that is carried in from outdoors
• Cracked, uneven, badly worn, or otherwise dangerous parking lots and outdoor walkways
• Unreliable shelving
• Boxes or items in walkways

Too many discount stores adopt the attitude that, because you’re getting a so-called good deal, you’re not entitled to all the niceties of regular stores. From their perspective, such amenities include safety. This is not, however, the law’s position on the matter.

Even Discount Stores Owe You a Duty of Care

Discount store owners and managers aren’t held to a discounted duty of care when it comes to their customers. Every commercial property owner in South Carolina is required to take the reasonable safety precautions necessary to help ensure the reasonable safety of their guests, visitors, and customers. There is only limited liability for property owners regarding trespassers in South Carolina.

In effect, this means that commercial property owners (including those who own discount stores) are required to take their cues from other reasonable property owners in similar situations. If an accident happens, a store owner’s failure to take the actions that their peers would have under comparable circumstances can support a strong slip and fall accident claim.

Don’t Buy into the Bargain Mentality

If you’re injured in a slip and fall accident in a bargain chain, their attitude may be that you get what you pay for. You, however, should not believe this. As a customer of the establishment, you are entitled to a reasonably safe shopping experience. If they fail to live up to this legal expectation, you can hold them liable for your physical, financial, and emotional losses in a slip and fall accident claim. 

Our Experienced Kingstree, SC, Slip-and-Fall Accident Lawyer Can Help

Cezar McKnight at the Law Offices of Cezar McKnight is a seasoned Kingstree, SC, slip-and -fall accident attorney with an impressive track record for guiding challenging cases like yours toward favorable court awards that support our valued clients’ fullest recoveries. Learn more about everything we can do to help by contacting us online or giving our firm a call at 843-374-4529 today.