Slip-and-fall accidents happen often at major stores like Aeropostale. While these accidents aren’t always a cause for concern, they still result in millions of ER visits yearly.
Stores are responsible for maintaining a safe environment for shoppers to prevent slip-and-fall accidents. If someone gets seriously injured from a slip-and-fall, they could be entitled to compensation for hospital charges, income loss, and other damages.
However, navigating a slip-and-fall lawsuit against a big company like Aeropostale can be complex. To deal with their strong insurance companies and understand the complex federal regulations, you will need the help of an injury lawyer. Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers are experienced in handling such cases and provide legal assistance nationwide to anyone who needs it.
Why Hire Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers
At Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers, our expert team will ensure our clients receive fair compensation for slip-and-fall accidents. With a proven track record of securing substantial settlements and verdicts, you can trust that we will work tirelessly to maximize your compensation.
Fatal slip and fall in a hospital
Knee injury on a construction site
Pelvis fracture on ice at a church
Slip and fall down a flight of stairs
Broken arm at a large chain store
Broken arm and wrist at an office
We conduct an in-depth review of each incident to strengthen your case and recover all medical expenses and lost income. We prioritize protecting your rights and focusing on your financial and emotional recovery.
Understanding Aeropostale Slip-and-Fall Accidents
Aeropostale is a well-known retailer specializing in casual apparel and accessories for young adults. With stores across the United States and a significant online presence, they are a go-to brand for trendy and affordable fashion.
However, like any major store, slip-and-fall accidents can occur anytime due to wet floors, poor lighting, clutter, or uneven surfaces. Like other retailers, Aeropostale is responsible for eliminating these risks so that the premises are safe for shoppers. These retailers can be held responsible for an injury claim if they are negligent in handling potential hazards.
Common Injuries from Slip-and-Fall Accidents
Slip-and-fall accidents can lead to injuries ranging from minor to severe. Common injuries include:
- Bruises and Cuts: Slip-and-fall accidents often lead to these injuries. While they might not seem like a big deal, they can still be quite painful and could lead to other issues if not taken care of promptly.
- Sprains and Strains: These issues arise when ligaments or muscles are overstretched or torn. Sprains and strains are painful and require weeks of rest or rehabilitation to heal fully.
- Fractures: Breaking a bone in a fall is quite common, especially in the arms, legs, and hips. These injuries mainly require surgery to correct and can take months to heal.
- Head Injuries: Some falls can result in head injuries, which can have dire consequences. You should take a minor bump to the head seriously, as they can result in traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) that can cause long-term cognitive issues.
- Spinal Cord Injuries: Such injuries are life-altering and can lead to chronic pain, reduced mobility, or even paralysis.
- Fatalities: A fall can be fatal in the most severe cases. Complications from injuries can often lead to a decline in overall health or worsen existing health conditions, which may prove to be fatal.
Liability for Aeropostale Slip-and-Fall Accidents
Let’s discuss how and why you should establish liability in a slip-and-fall case for a successful outcome:
Importance of Establishing Liability
Establishing liability when seeking compensation for slip-and-fall accidents at Aeropostale is essential. It determines who is responsible for the injuries and ensures the injured party can recover costs for medical bills, lost wages, and other damages.
Aeropostale is responsible for maintaining a safe environment for its customers. If the store neglects any potential fall hazards, it can be held accountable for any resulting accidents. At other times, third parties like maintenance contractors or suppliers might also be at fault. For example, they could share the liability if a cleaning service leaves the floor wet without proper signage.
Importance of Collecting Evidence
Victims can more effectively prove liability and receive the compensation they deserve by gathering and presenting evidence:
- Surveillance Footage: Video recordings can clearly show the incident and the conditions leading up to it, such as an unattended spill or lack of safety measures.
- Witness Statements: Testimonies from people who saw the accident can support the victim’s account and provide additional perspectives on how the fall happened.
- Maintenance Records: These documents reveal the store’s efforts to maintain a safe environment. Cleaning logs, repair requests, and incident reports can show whether the business followed safety protocols.
Compensation Following an Aeropostale Slip-and-Fall Accident
Here’s what you should know about compensation in slip-and-fall accidents:
Types of Compensation
When someone suffers a slip-and-fall accident at an Aeropostale, they could be entitled to the following types of compensation:
- Medical Expenses: Medical expenses cover the cost of treating injuries sustained in the fall. This includes emergency room visits, surgeries, hospital stays, medications, physical therapy, and any future medical care due to long-term injuries.
- Lost Wages: If your fall injury prevents you from working, you can seek compensation for lost wages. This includes the salary you lost during your recovery and any future earnings if your injuries impact your ability to work long-term.
- Pain and Suffering: Pain and suffering compensation addresses the physical pain and emotional distress caused by the accident. Since these are non-economic damages, they can be more challenging to quantify but can make a difference to your final compensation.
- Punitive Damages: Unlike compensatory damages, punitive damages are meant to punish the responsible party and discourage similar behavior in the future. While not common in every case, they may be awarded if there is clear evidence of serious negligence or misconduct from the property owner.
- Wrongful Death Cases: In tragic cases where a slip-and-fall accident results in death, the victim’s family may be entitled to additional compensation to help them cope with their loss. This compensation can include covering the costs associated with the funeral, loss of companionship, and loss of services.
Factors Influencing Compensation
In slip-and-fall cases, the compensation you might receive is influenced by factors including the severity of the injuries, the impact on your quality of life, and the level of negligence involved. Stores like Aeropostale have comprehensive liability insurance in place to cover accidents that occur on their premises. However, they can be quite strict in handling fall accident claims, especially if they are filed late or appear exaggerated.
Comparative negligence also reduces the compensation you receive. This legal principle involves determining the share of fault between the injured party and the defendant. For instance, if someone slips in a store while distracted by their phone, they might be considered partially responsible for the accident.
What to Do Following an Aeropostale Slip-and-Fall Accident
Here’s a step-by-step guide on what to do immediately after the accident:
- Seek Medical Attention: Prioritize your health and safety by getting medical help immediately, even if the injuries are minor.
- Report the Accident: Inform a store manager or employee about the incident so they can officially document it.
- Document the Scene: Take photos of the area where you fell, noting any hazards that contributed to the accident.
- Gather Witness Information: Collect contact details from anyone who witnessed the fall.
- Save Evidence: Preserve any clothing worn during the incident and collect your receipts and medical records. This evidence is crucial for strengthening your case.
- Record the Details: As soon as possible, note everything you remember from the event. Make sure to include details like time, date, and location.
- Contact an Attorney: Consult a personal injury lawyer specializing in slip-and-fall cases to understand your rights and legal options.
The Role of an Aeropostale Slip-and-Fall Lawyer
Here’s what you can expect when you work with Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers:
- Initial Consultation: In the initial meeting, clients will discuss the incident details and provide relevant documentation, allowing the lawyer to assess the claim’s potential and outline legal options.
- Investigation and Evidence Gathering: The lawyer will investigate the accident to understand the circumstances. This helps build a compelling case to support the client’s slip-and-fall claim and prove negligence.
- Negotiation and Settlement: After gathering all the evidence, the lawyer negotiates with Aeropostale’s insurance company and other parties to secure fair compensation. Most slip-and-fall cases are settled out of court to avoid lengthy trials.
- Trial: If we can’t reach a settlement, our attorney will present the case in court. Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers are skilled in trial representation and fully advocate for the client’s rights to achieve the best possible outcome.
Statute of Limitations for Aeropostale Slip-and-Fall Injuries
The statute of limitations is a legal deadline for filing a personal injury lawsuit. The time frame varies by each state’s personal injury law, usually one to four years. Missing this deadline can mean losing your right to compensation, so hiring a lawyer is necessary. They ensure everything is filed on time and help navigate the specific laws in your state so you don’t miss your opportunity to seek justice.
Contact an Aeropostale Slip-and-Fall Accident Lawyer Today!
Slip-and-fall accidents are common in retail areas like Aeropostale stores and sometimes can lead to serious injuries. Luckily, the victim is entitled to seek compensation for the pain and loss caused by such injuries. A slip-and-fall accident injury lawyer from Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers will be ready to assist you throughout the legal process.
Call us at (888) 424-5757 or complete our online form.