When you think of accidents that could cause you to end up in a hospital, you likely picture car accidents or injuries on manual labor job sites. You may not think an incident in a retail store can lead to severe damage, but these instances do occur. If you are injured while shopping, it’s likely that management will ask you to fill out an incident report. However, if you’re unfamiliar with these documents, you may not know why they’re so important. The following blog explains why these are vital papers and explores how a Broward County personal injury attorney can help you through this process.
What Is an Incident Report, and Why Do I Need to File One?
If you are in a retail location or business, it’s not uncommon for those who suffer injuries on the premises to be asked to file an incident report. These documents contain details about an injury or accident that occurs while on the premises of the business.
Generally, the information collected in these reports is simple, including your name, contact information, and where the incident occurred. However, you’ll provide details about how the injury occurred to provide a written statement of what led to the accident. These documents also allow you to collect information about witnesses and bystanders who can attest to the events that lead to your injury.
Filing an incident report is essential for two reasons. By alerting the manager or owner of a store to a hazard that resulted in an injury, it ensures the employees can take the property precautions to remedy the issue and prevent additional shoppers from sustaining injuries. The other reason is that it is documented proof of the injuries you’ve suffered. Be sure to obtain a copy of the report before leaving the store, as some stores have changed the wording on the document to avoid facing liability.
What Kind of Damages Can I Recover?
It’s crucial to understand the damages you are eligible to recover in instances where a store’s negligence leads to an accident. If a store owner or its employees do not take the necessary measures to remedy hazards and risks or disregard the safety measures set in place, you will likely be able to file a lawsuit for compensation.
You’ll be able to recover damages for economic damages like medical expenses, rehabilitative measures, and lost income for time spent recovering. These are quantifiable damages that have a strict monetary value assigned to them.
However, you may also be eligible to recover non-economic damages, like pain and suffering or a diminished quality of life. These do not carry a strict monetary value, meaning the award amount will vary depending on a number of circumstances surrounding the case.
Regardless, if you’re injured in a store, contacting an experienced attorney as soon as possible is essential to pursue justice. In Flordia, you only have two years from the accident date to file a suit. However, the sooner you file, the better. At the Finizio Law Group, we will do everything possible to help you achieve the compensation you deserve when you’re injured at the hands of a negligent store. Contact us today to learn how we can help you during a free consultation.
