Four Ways To Avoid A New Haven Slip And Fall Accident At A Big Box Store

Love ’em or hate ’em big box stores are everywhere and they are, in many cases, our primary resources for all of our daily needs.  Whether you’re in the market for items for a home renovation project or just some simple cleaning supplies, you’ll find them at a local big box store.  Given that we rely on these stores now so heavily it makes sense that there are more chances that we may suffer a New Haven slip and fall accident at one of these big retailers.  The truth is there are a lot of hazards that you can run into at a store that sells “everything” if you’re not careful.

When you take a step into a big box store you are likely going to come into multiple situations where you will need to make a split second decision that can be the difference between you getting what you need and getting out of the store unscathed or an accident that could leave you injured or even worse.  If you stay vigilant and aware of your surroundings you can successfully navigate a trip to a store like this.  For that reason, we’ve put together a list of four things you should do to avoid an injury at one of these stores.

1. Use a cart or carriage.  Placing a large item in a cart or a carriage will help take the burden off of you to carry this large item.  If you are walking through the store with a large item in your hand you may not be able to see the ground in front of you or manage your steps in a way that can make it so you can navigate the store safely.  A carriage or cart will help solve that problem for you.
2. Ask for help.  Store clerks have access to tools to reach items that are up high or down low and they can safely get them off of the shelves if you need them to.  It can be tempting to see what you need just out of reach, but if you do reach for it you can easily lose your footing and find yourself injured in no time.
3. Stay off of all the equipment.  Big box stores often have ladders or forklifts around.  If you find yourself enticed to use a piece of equipment, think again.  Improper use of this equipment can lead to injury or death.
4. Avoid spills or wet floors.  One of the most dangerous things that can happen in a big box store is having a wet floor.  It can be difficult to spot if a floor is wet if it is not properly marked.  If you do see that the floor is wet, pick another aisle to go down or proceed with extreme caution so you do not injure yourself.

Big box stores are great places to find everything you need all in one shopping trip, but they also present hazards that other smaller retailers may not present.  It can be significantly easier to get into a situation where you are confronted with the possibility of experiencing a New Haven slip and fall accident.  If you take some of the precautions mentioned above you will limit your risk and keep your safety at the top of your mind.

We wish you happy shopping, but if you do end up with an injury from an incident at one of these big retailers contact our office immediately.  One of our experienced attorneys can review your case and work to protect your long-term interests.