Shopping cart injuries could be grounds to pursue a civil claim
When are shopping at your favorite Illinois clothing store or picking up groceries for the week, you are probably not thinking about what will happen if you get hurt while you are there. Unfortunately, accidents in stores happen all the time, and often, they are the result of shopping carts. You may think the incident that left you injured is the result of your own clumsiness or carelessness, but in reality, you could have grounds for a civil claim.
You could be a victim of circumstances beyond your control. You would be wise not to make assumptions about your case but to find out if the store or other parties are liable for what happened to you. Shopping carts may seem like benign objects, but in reality, they are capable of causing significant injuries that can leave victims in pain and with expensive medical bills.
Do you have a case?
It’s not always easy to determine if your shopping cart accident is actually grounds to move forward with a civil claim. If you have evidence of the following elements, you may be able to pursue compensation through a premises liability claim:
The store or an employee of the store owed you a specific duty of care with the shopping cart because you were a customer.
The store or the employee of the store breached that duty by his or her actions.
The actions of the store or the employee were the specific reason for your injury.
This left you with injuries that are real and compensable, causing you physical and financial harm.
In order to have a valid claim against the store for your injuries that happened because of a shopping cart, you will need to be able to prove all four elements. A store is responsible for maintaining safe premises and eliminating hazards that could cause harm to others, including dangerous shopping carts.
The first step
The claims process is often complex and confusing. In order to give yourself the highest chance of success with your claim, it is beneficial to speak with an attorney who understands how this process works. One of the first steps that you may have to take is seeking a complete evaluation of your case and explanation of the legal options available to you.
With the right support, it may be possible to secure the compensation you deserve to help you address your financial losses and other needs you have after a shopping cart accident.