The owner of a business is responsible for keeping his store as free from hazards as possible; however, if you have been hurt during an accident in a store in Virginia Beach, you know that business owners and their employees do not always do so. Some of the more common premises hazards our Virginia Beach personal injury attorneys have seen are:
- Spilled liquids
- Wet floors
- Icy sidewalks or parking lots
- Items sticking out of low shelves (trip hazards)
- Uneven walking surfaces
- Holes in sidewalks and flooring
- Objects falling from high shelves
- Worn, ripped, or crumpled carpets
- Lack of protection from dangers (e.g., lack of security in store or parking lot)
Preventing Injuries Is the Property Owner's Job
Any of the above hazards can cause injury or death. It is the responsibility of the property owner to find and remedy all dangerous situations as soon as possible.
For example, it is not the responsibility of a store's owner to ensure that a jar of oil never breaks on the floor. It is, however, his responsibility to take reasonable and timely steps to clean up the oil and prevent a patron from slipping and falling on the spill.
If an employee sees the spill but ignores it, or if the spill was there for quite some time before it caused a shopper to fall, then responsibility may very well lie with the business owner or manager.
As you can see, you do have rights when it comes to injuries sustained during an accident at a business or property. To ensure that your rights are protected, and that you have the money you need to pay for medical bills, lost wages, and ongoing therapies, contact an experienced, aggressive Virginia Beach accident attorney at Tavss Fletcher. Protect your rights; call 757.625.1214 today to schedule your consultation.