When people think of accidents, they often only think about those that occur on the road or at construction sites. However, it’s not uncommon for shoppers to sustain injuries in businesses like retail locations or grocery stores. Unfortunately, many dismiss these injuries as simple accidents without realizing they can hold the negligent party liable for their injuries. If you were injured, you must file an incident report immediately after the accident. Keep reading to learn why this is imperative and how a Pike County, KY premises liability lawyer can help you recover the compensation you are entitled to.

What Is a Store Incident Report, and Why Must I File One?

When you are in a retail location and sustain an injury due to the negligence of the employees and management, it’s in your best interest to file an incident report. Just as you would alert the police to a car accident so they can file a report, ensuring store managers or owners are aware of the injury allows them to document what happened.

Informing management is necessary for two reasons. The first ensures that leadership knows about the issue, allowing them to remedy it before another patron is injured. The second reason is that it can help protect you should you pursue compensation for the damages you’ve endured.

Without an incident report, proving the injury happened can be challenging. As such, filing one with the store is in your best interest. It’s also imperative that you obtain a copy of the report as, unfortunately, some stores have changed the details on the report to avoid liability. If the store refuses to make a copy for you, take a photo to document what is written on the file.

Who Can Be Held Liable for Injuries?

In general, the retailer will be held liable for injuries caused by the negligence of their employees and management. This is because the store owner has the responsibility to properly train their employees. For example, if the incident was caused because a worker did not put up a wet floor sign after mopping or exceeded the shelves’ weight limit, they would not be personally held liable. Instead, the store as a whole would be, as they are responsible for the actions of their employees.

It’s vital to file a claim within the Kentucky statute of limitations, which is generally one year from the accident date. As such, you must contact an attorney as soon as possible. Waiting too long to file a claim will negate your ability to pursue compensation.

When you’re hurt, Shane Hall Attorney at Law is ready to help. Our dedicated firm will explore the circumstances surrounding your case to fight for the compensation you deserve due to a negligent party at a retail location. Schedule your free consultation today to set up a meeting with a member of our competent team.