Why Slip And Fall Accidents Are So Common In Dollar Stores

Chronic understaffing and cluttered aisles, overfilled shelves, and workplace safety violations cause slip and falls to be all too common in dollar stores. Both Dollar Tree and Family Dollar stores have a history of unsafely storing and stacking boxes, creating a hazard for customers. The retail discount stores place profits above worker and customer welfare, with thousands of slip and falls taking place each year.

If you or a loved one has recently been injured in a Dollar Tree or Family Dollar store, our South Carolina slip and fall attorney is here to assist you in filing your claim.

Chronic Understaffing

Dollar Tree and Family Dollar stores have a tendency to have minimal staff during “slow” hours. This is done to keep store profits high, but it comes at a cost. Given the chronic understaffing, coupled with the company keeping employee hours to a minimum, it takes far too long to unload new stock. New stock may sit on rolling carts, pallets, or cardboard boxes for weeks, blocking the aisles. Unfortunately, the issue of understaffing produces more than clutter. Spills, wet floors, and improperly placed ladders create precarious conditions for customers. Even though both retailers think they are saving money by hiring fewer staff, they end up making up for it in claim payouts.

Limited Storage Space

Too much inventory results in overfilled shelves, placing customers’ safety at risk. In some instances, inventory may block emergency exits. A lack of storage forces employees to overstock shelves, leaving other items in boxes and pallets on the floor. Overflowing inventory blocks pathways and even work areas; the makings of a slip and fall. The problem is only exacerbated by poor lighting, preventing customers from seeing the hazard (another cost-cutting measure).

Workplace Safety Violations

As an example of the lack of safety concern among these companies, one Dollar Tree store was cited for various OSHA violations in a recent year, including:

● Wheeled carts, large boxes, and merchandise left behind in the storeroom blocked walkways and employee work areas.

● Unsecured and unstable inventory stacked at heights exceeding 6 feet, placing workers in danger of being struck by a falling box.

● Stocked merchandise obstructing electrical panels, creating electrical and fire hazards for store occupants.

Advocacy in the Face of Dollar Store Injuries

Given the hazards that you face in a dollar store, customers may suffer broken bones, spinal cord injuries, and concussions. Given the severity of your injuries, you may end up paying exorbitant medical bills and even missing a substantial amount of time from work. These accident-incurred damages can impact your ability to pay your mortgage, clothe your children, and put food on the table. What comes as a disappointment but perhaps no surprise, legal representatives of both chains often blame the customer for their fall (such as alleging your footwear was the real culprit).

Our South Carolina slip and fall lawyer only considers a case resolved when you are awarded the settlement or award that is rightfully due to you. If you have sustained injuries due to a slip and fall at a Dollar Tree or Family Dollar store, your compensation should reflect all your losses, not just a few. Thankfully, having legal advocacy during this time can help you recover the financial resources you need to move forward.

Injured in a Dollar Store? Reach Out to Our South Carolina Slip and Fall Lawyer Today

An injury in a dollar store should be taken seriously. Sadly, even minor injuries can result in thousands of dollars in lost wages, medical bills, and even strained relationships with co-workers and family members. If you have recently fallen victim to an injury in a Dollar Tree or Family Dollar store, our South Carolina slip and fall attorneys would like to assist you in filing your claim. To schedule your free consultation or to learn more, contact The Law Office of Cezar McKnight online or by calling (843) 374-4529 today.