A Target shopping trip may seem harmless enough, and, in most cases, it is. Unfortunately, negligent employees, property owners, and other shoppers can turn your shopping experience into a calamity. Slippery floors, unsecured shelves, lack of crowd control around the holidays…there are numerous risks shoppers face every time they shop at Target and its competitors, such as Wal-Mart.
If you recently suffered an injury such as a broken bone, cuts and bruises, or a concussion while at Target in Miami, follow the guidelines from our slip and fall attorneys below.
Stay Calm and Gather Information
Sustaining an injury while out shopping with friends or family can be frightening and confusing. You may not know what to do to protect yourself and your rights. First, remain calm. Do not move if you have serious injuries, such as broken bones or a head injury. Make sure someone notifies management of your incident and calls paramedics immediately. You or a friend should gather information such as the names of any eyewitnesses, the store number, and the name of any Target employee who came to help. Take photographs of what caused your accident and of your injuries. The more information you gather, the more evidence you may have of negligence.
Identify the Source of the Problem
It is the building owner and manager’s duties to ensure the safety of all shoppers and Target guests. This involves repairing known hazards, searching for unknown dangers, and warning shoppers of known risks such as un-mopped spills. It is the company’s job to hire responsible, safe, and non-criminal employees. After an injury at Target, identify what caused your injury. Any number of things can turn a standard Target trip into a personal injury accident, including:
- Uneven sidewalks or curbs
- Parking lot accidents
- Dangerous crowds at sales and events
- Unsecured shelves
- Items falling from high shelves
- Obstacles in the aisle
- Spills and slippery floors
- Defective escalator/elevator
- Fires or floods
- Negligent security
- Intent to harm from employees
These are examples of negligence and preventable hazards. If you were at a Miami Target and suffered injuries from any of these causes or others, know that you may have a personal injury claim on your hands. After you seek medical attention for your injuries, consult with a Miami slip and fall attorney.
Talk to a Miami Personal Injury Attorney
Premises liability claims at Targets in Miami are more common than one might think. With nine Target stores in Miami-Dade County, it’s only a matter of time before injuries occur. As soon as you can after an injury, contact a local attorney. Explain what happened and what you believe caused your accident. The right team of attorneys will know how to investigate your claim and help you achieve maximum recovery from the store’s insurance company.
Target has a comprehensive security system that consists of numerous cameras throughout the store and parking lot. It’s possible that one of the cameras recorded your accident and can serve as evidence of negligence. An attorney can send the Target store in question a “preservation of evidence” letter that demands they preserve any videotapes or other evidence relating to your case or else face legal consequences.
Florida is a pure comparative negligence state. This means that even if Target tries to defend itself with a “comparative fault” defense, you could still recover a portion of your damages. For example, say surveillance footage shows that you were texting while shopping, and walked into an obvious spill that made you slip and break your hip. Target could argue that you were partially at fault for not paying attention. Even if the courts assign you a percentage of fault, you could receive a compensation award that subtracts your own comparative negligence. Regardless of your unique scenario and subsequent accident, speak to our Miami injury attorneys for help right away after a Miami Target accident.