I Fell in a J.C. Penney!: What to Do Next?
J.C. Penney is a big department store, overflowing with merchandise, customers, and employees, and it’s not surprising that sometimes someone makes a mistake that leads to a customer falling and getting injured. These slip and fall accidents can result in a serious injury that disrupts daily life, prevents you from going to work and earning money, and leaves you with devastating medical bills.
Unfortunately, accidents do happen, and though no one working there would have wished for it to happen, that doesn’t mean the innocent customer should have to struggle because of the business’s mistake. If they open their doors to the public, they are responsible for any injury that occurs on their premises that is their fault.
If you are injured at a J.C. Penney and it was the store’s fault, state laws allow you to claim compensation against them. A personal injury claim will help you recover the costs of the accident and relieve some of the financial strain caused by your injury.
What Can Go Wrong inside a J.C. Penney?
Due to the nature of a large department store, there is a wide range of hazards that could unfortunately cause something to go horribly wrong, such as:
- Rain coming into the entrance
- Ice and snow in the parking lot
- Merchandise discarded on the floor and not tidied away
- Displays precariously placed so it collapses dangerously
- Carts and ladders left unattended
- Cracked floor tiles or improperly secured rugs
- Lighting that is faulty or inadequate
- Missing or broken safety rails and other equipment
Common Injuries for a J.C. Penney Slip and Fall Accident
Slip and fall injuries are sometimes minor, but they can also be life changing. If you slip and fall due to J.C. Penney’s negligence, you may sustain:
- Cuts and gashes to your face and scalp
- Broken teeth or nose
- Neck pain
- Back injuries
- Fractured hands, wrists and elbows
- Sprained knee and ankle
- Smashed shinbone
- Wrenched knee
- Gashes and cuts to your limbs
- Puncture wounds
- Muscle, ligament and tendon tears
Can I Make a Personal Injury Claim Against J.C. Penney if I Fell?
In short, yes. If you sustained any serious injuries as a result of J.C. Penney’s negligent behavior, you can make a personal injury claim to recover the costs of your injury.
An Example of a J.C. Penney Incident
Imagine you are walking through the homeware section when – ouch! A broken mirror has gashed your calf, and you are bleeding everywhere. Your cut will need stitches, and you’ll have to take weeks away from your job. J.C. Penney employees should have cleared away this extremely dangerous hazard, and so they should pay for the financial and emotional strain they have placed on you and your family.
A Real-Life Example of a J.C. Penney Claim
A Philadelphia woman claimed for $50,000 in damages after she tripped on an uneven part of the floor and sustained an injury. She claimed the store was careless and negligent because they hadn’t repaired the damaged flooring and hadn’t cordoned it off. The injuries and pain she sustained in the fall impeded her ability to work and earn an income, and the case was settled out of court for an undisclosed amount.
Why Don’t Some Personal Injury Claims Succeed?
You should be aware that J.C. Penney has a team of lawyers who are experts in defending against personal injury claims. If you want to claim for your injury, you need the help of an experienced personal injury lawyer on your side to help you put together your case and represent you throughout the claims process.
How to Make Sure Your Personal Injury Claim is Successful
If you, or someone you love, slipped and fell in a J.C. Penney, you need to do everything you can to ensure your claim succeeds. First of all, get an employee to take a written report of the incident and obtain a copy for yourself. Next, take photos to show what happened, where any hazards were, images of your injury (if visible), and don’t allow any employee to hide the cause until you possess your proof.
If you are reading this once you’ve returned home – don’t worry. Get a personal injury lawyer involved as soon as possible so they can get the store’s footage of the slip and fall accident to help your claim.
