When you go into a store to go shopping, you expect everything in the store to be set-up in a manner that will keep you safe. However, that is not always the case. Sometimes, things are set-up in a manner in which merchandise falls down and injures shoppers. There are a few things you need to understand about falling merchandise accidents.

#1: The Stores Responsibility

When you visit a retail store, it is natural to assume that the merchandise will be set-up in a manner that will allow you to shop and look at the merchandise without having to worry about the merchandise falling on you and hitting you. It is the legal obligation of the store owner to set-up the merchandise in a manner that keeps customers safe. The store is responsible for setting up a safe environment that allows shoppers to move about and touch items without worrying about things falling.

The store has a certain duty of care to keep the store safe and to take measures to protect invited guests from getting injured. The store owner is also obligated to make sure visitors are aware of any hazards that may not be obvious to the public eye. Invited guests generally include all customers, but may not cover someone who forced their way into a business when it is not open.

#2: Why Merchandise Falls

There are a few reasons why merchandise falls on customers when they are shopping. Perhaps items are stacked too high, causing merchandise to fall when someone attempts to remove an item from the stack. Merchandise may fall because items are not stacked in a smart manner; with different sized boxes haphazardly stacked on top of each other. Goods may fall because they are not properly secured. Goods may fall from overhead pallets because the pallets are not properly shrink-wrapped. Falling merchandise is most common in big box stores and warehouses, where merchandise is more likely to be stacked up high in a vertical manner.

#3: Premises Liability Claim

If you are injured at a store by falling merchandise, you can file a premises liability claim, which is a specific type of personal injury claim. A premises liability claim is based on the idea that you have the ability to sue someone if you are injured on someone else's property due to unsafe conditions that the business could have controlled. With this type of lawsuit, you can sue for money to cover your injuries, lost wages, and pain and suffering.

When you go into a store, you expect to have a safe experience. If you are injured by falling merchandise, consider contacting a personal injury lawyer in order to pursue fair compensation through a premises liability claim.

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