Shopping Center Accident Attorney in Santa Barbara

Written by: Tyrone J. Maho

The last thing you want to think about when you’re out enjoying time with your friends or family is getting injured. Unfortunately, accidents happen when negligent store owners and mall managers fail to provide safe premises. Slips, trips, and falls are common in malls and other shopping centers. If you’ve been injured in a shopping center accident, you should know your rights. Our law firm in Santa Barbara can help represent your premises liability claim. 

An experienced attorney can educate you on your situation and calculate how much you are owed in compensation. Your attorney will protect your rights if the shopping center’s insurer doesn’t want to pay you full compensation for all of your injuries. Find out how our personal injury lawyers can help and contact Maho Prentice Law now for a free consultation about California law and how it affects your case.

Causes of Accidents at Shopping Malls 

Many shopping centers are crowded, putting visitors at risk of severe injuries. Unfortunately, this congestion can often lead to accidents if the property owner is negligent. Here are some of the most common reasons why people get hurt at malls:

Uneven Surfaces 

This refers to any surface that is not level or smooth. This can include uneven floors, cracked sidewalks, and potholes in parking lots. Slips, trips, and falls are often caused by uneven pavement, as they can create hazards for pedestrians.

Wet Floors

Wet floors are one of the most common causes of accidents at shopping centers. These accidents can occur when liquids are spilled on the floor and not properly cleaned up. Inadequate warning signs or lack thereof can also contribute to wet floor accidents, as visitors may not be aware of the spill.

Poor Lighting

This can include dimly-lit areas, such as parking lots or walkways, and areas with broken lighting fixtures. Poor lighting can create hazards for visitors by obscuring obstacles in stairwells, hallways, and parking garages.

Common Shopping Center Accident Injuries 

Shopping accident injuries can range from minor to severe. Always seek immediate medical attention after a slip and fall accident. Here are the most common wounds visitors might experience in a premises liability case: 

Broken Bones

This type of injury may be caused by a fall onto a hard surface or a collision with an object. In some cases, broken bones may also be caused by a heavy object falling on a visitor’s limb.

Head Injuries

This type of injury can be caused by a direct blow to the head when hitting the ground or an object falling on the victim’s head. In some cases, a head injury may also involve an open wound, leading to further complications.

Spinal Cord Damage

This type of injury can occur due to a blow to the back or a fall from any height if the victim lands on their back.

Soft Tissue Injuries

This can happen when tendons, cartilage, ligaments, and other soft muscle tissues suffer an impact. You may not notice these injuries immediately and can experience pain days or weeks after the accident. 

Bruises And Contusions

You can suffer a bruise after hitting a hard surface. Bruises can be very painful but are not usually life-threatening and don’t result in long-term injury.

Cuts And Lacerations

These wounds can result in heavy bleeding and even infection if not treated properly. You can cut yourself on sharp objects or even rough surfaces in a shopping center because of a neglectful property owner. 

Who is liable for injuries sustained in a shopping mall? 

The liability for injuries sustained in a shopping mall will depend largely on who was responsible for maintaining safe conditions at the mall or store. Premises liability laws may come into play according to California law, which means that the property owner, mall owner, or management company could be held legally accountable for any severe injuries that occur as a result of their failure to maintain safe conditions at the property.

Other potentially liable parties could include maintenance workers, security staff, and store owners whose negligence contributed to unsafe conditions at the mall. If you have been injured due to a shopping center accident, it is important to consult with an experienced personal injury attorney as soon as possible. Your attorney can help you understand your legal options and determine who is liable for your injuries.

Contact a Personal Injury Attorney

Personal injury lawyers in Santa Barbara can guide you through the process of filing a personal injury lawsuit or settlement claim against the responsible party or parties. They can help you receive fair compensation for medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other damages. There is a statute of limitations on your personal injury accident, so you have only two years in most cases to obtain compensation. 

It is essential to consult with an attorney quickly after your accident to ensure that your rights are protected. Our reliable law firm works on a contingency fee basis, which means that you only pay us after we win your shopping center accident case. Find out if you need a shopping center accident lawyer and get connected with one today. Contact Maho Prentice Law now for a free consultation.