Sears, Roebuck, and Company, commonly known as Sears stores, was founded in 1893 and initially based in Chicago’s Sears Tower. From their beginnings as a mail ordering catalog company, Sears has grown to a chain of hundreds of department stores throughout the United States (even though their numbers are in decline).
Sears stores present various slip and fall hazards that may have you calling a Sears slip and fall accident and injury lawyer in Georgia for help.
Slip and Fall Hazards at Sears Stores in Georgia
Sears stores are well-known for selling home goods, clothing, mattresses, tools, jewelry, and more. The variety of merchandise leaves customers prone to injuries from slip and fall accidents.
Some of the most common slip and fall hazards found in Sears stores include:
- Fallen clothing
- Oil leaks from machinery
- Grease on the floors from mechanical equipment
- Bulky appliances in the aisles
- Customers’ spilled beverages or food items from other locations (since many Sears stores are located in malls)
- Unmarked slippery floors being cleaned or waxed
- Broken stairs or poorly-lit hallways
Some Sears stores include an automotive section with hazardous items like tires, oils, tools, and grease. If employees are not diligent about maintaining the area (or any other area of the store), it can lead to slip and fall injuries.
A slip and fall might not sound like a huge deal, but slip and fall accidents can lead to serious injuries, costly medical bills, missed work time, and a lot more. If you suffered a slip and fall accident at a Sears store in Georgia, it’s time to contact a Sears slip and fall accident and injury lawyer who can help you seek compensation for your losses.
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How Fault and Liability Works in Sears Slip and Fall Accidents
In Georgia, every store has a responsibility to keep its premises safe for visitors and customers. If they fail in this legal duty and it results in an accident, the store is legally liable (Georgia Code § 51-3-1) for the victim’s damages.
If you’re a victim of the store’s negligence, you have the right to compensation for your damages, but you will have to file a personal injury claim to seek them. To file a successful claim, you will need to prove that:
- Your slip and fall accident happened
- A store employee or owner was negligent
- Their negligence led to your accident injuries
- Your injuries were directly caused by the store’s negligence
You will also need to provide proof of your damages in the form of medical bills, pay stubs from your work, picture evidence, witness statements, receipts, and more. A Sears slip and fall accident and injury lawyer can help you compile the necessary information to build the strongest insurance claim possible. They can also make sure you know your rights and protect you from the store’s insurance company, which will likely make the process most stressful for you.
Of course, no one can assume items will never fall or get spilled in a department store. What matters is whether or not an employee saw a hazardous situation and fixed it within a reasonable amount of time. When employees are doing their jobs well and exercising caution to prevent dangers, it protects customers from injury.
Why Sears Slip and Fall Injury Claims Get Denied in Georgia
Insurance companies do not like to pay out much on slip and fall accidents claim, especially when their policyholders are large companies like Sears. After you file your claim, the insurance company may use tactics like:
- Taking a long time to respond to your claim, hoping you’ll give up on it
- Denying your claim completely
- Blaming you for part or all of the accident
- Trying to say your injuries were from pre-existing conditions, not the accident
- Calling you soon after the accident to ask how you’re doing, then using what you say, even something as simple as “fine” or “I’m okay”, against you
In addition, companies like Sears do not like to admit liability. When you report the accident, store owners or managers may try to blame you or minimize your injuries. It’s an uphill battle that no slip and fall accident victim should have to face alone. That’s why getting an experienced Sears slip and fall accident lawyer on your side as soon as possible is the best decision you can make.
A good lawyer will be ready to communicate and negotiate with the insurance company on your behalf. If the insurance company refuses to budge on your settlement, your lawyer will be there if you decide to file a lawsuit against the company.
Don’t Wait to Start Taking Action on Your Sears Slip and Fall Case
Injury claims have a statute of limitations, which is a certain time period in which you must bring a case. If you wait too long, you may lose any chance of recovering money for the costs of your accident.
In Georgia, the statute of limitations for slip and fall accident cases is two years from the date of your accident. In some situations, it may be even shorter.
That time goes very quickly, so it’s best to contact a lawyer as soon as you can. They can help you get started on your claim and make sure the insurance company the Sears cooperates on your case.
Talk to a Sears Slip and Fall Accident and Injury Lawyer in Georgia for Free
After getting injured in a slip and fall accident at a Sears store in Georgia, you should not have to pay for the costs of your accident. At John Foy & Associates, we will help you fight for your right to compensation, risk-free. Our slip and fall accident and injury lawyers do not take any payment unless we win you money. Plus the consultation is always FREE.
Similar retail stores are also responsible for slip and fall injuries. Our legal team can help if you’ve been injured in a:
- Home Depot slip and fall accident
- Ikea slip and fall accident
- Barnes and Nobles slip and fall accident
- Kohl’s slip and fall accident
- Marshalls slip and fall accident
- Ross slip and fall accident
- T.J. Maxx slip and fall accident
Contact John Foy & Associates today for your FREE consultation where we’ll discuss your case and your options. Call (404) 400-4000 or contact us online to get started.
404-400-4000 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form
