How Do I File a Claim for a Shopping Mall Accident?

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New Jersey is home to some of the country’s largest shopping malls. Not only do many of these malls have hundreds of stores and restaurants, but some even have movie theaters and amusement parks. These malls typically attract millions of visitors every year, especially during the holiday season. But with the heavy visitor traffic also comes increased risk of shopping mall accidents, including slip and fall or trip and fall accidents, incidents involving negligent security, or motor vehicle accidents in parking lots and parking garages. 

Read more: Shopping Mall Safety During The Holidays

Common Causes of Shopping Mall Accident

Some of the common causes or types of accidents that occur in shopping malls in New Jersey include:

• Slip and falls
• Trip and falls
• Car accidents
• Pedestrian accidents
• Food poisoning injuries
• Escalator and elevator accidents
• Crush accidents caused by falling merchandise or displays
• Amusement ride accidents
• Criminal activity facilitated by inadequate security, including poor lighting, lack of surveillance cameras, or insufficient numbers of security staff
• Injuries caused during detention by negligent or reckless security staff

Mall operators or the commercial tenants at the mall may be liable to visitors who are injured due to the operators’ or store owners’ negligent disregard for proper safety standards; they may be held responsible to compensate injured shopping mall accident victims for their damages and losses.

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What to Do After a Shopping Mall Accident

If you have suffered an injury in a shopping mall accident, you should quickly act to protect your legal rights and options; your accident may have been caused by the shopping mall owner’s or a store owner’s negligence, which allowed dangerous or hazardous conditions to exist on the premises. Following your accident, you should remember to:

• Report your accident to the store owner and/or mall owner; if the store or mall manager fills out an accident or incident report, be sure to request a copy of this report
• Request that the store or mall preserve a copy of any surveillance footage of your accident
• If possible, try to take photos of the accident scene, including whatever you believe caused your accident and injuries, any safety equipment or warning signs nearby, or the lighting and (if applicable) weather conditions
• Get examined at the emergency room, or an urgent care clinic, or by your primary care physician; even if you aren’t experiencing pain or any other symptoms of injuries, a doctor may be able to diagnose injuries you suffered in your accident through a physical exam
• Keep copies of your medical bills and other expenses related to your injuries (such as lost wages due to missed work)
• Schedule a consultation with a personal injury lawyer as soon as possible, especially before you choose to speak to insurance adjusters for the mall or store, and before you accept any compensation from the insurance companies

Remember that you only have two years from the date of your accident to file a lawsuit against the mall or store owner, so you will need to move quickly to begin pursuing compensation for injuries and damages you suffered as a result of your shopping mall accident.

Read more: Can Social Media Hurt My Personal Injury Claim?

Contact a Rochelle Park Personal Injury Lawyer to Discuss Your Premises Liability Accident Case in New Jersey

Did you or a loved one sustain serious injuries due to a premises liability accident in New Jersey? Don’t let the medical bills pile up while you wait for the negligent party or their insurance company to do the right thing. Right now, you need an aggressive personal injury attorney on your side, fighting to get you the compensation you need, want, and deserve. The skilled attorneys at the Epstein Law Firm, P.A. represent clients injured because of premises liability accidents in Englewood, Fair Lawn, Fort Lee, Garfield, and throughout New Jersey. Call 201-231-7847 or fill out our online contact form to schedule a free consultation about your case. We have an office conveniently located at 340 West Passaic Street, Rochelle Park, NJ 07662.

The articles on this blog are for informative purposes only and are no substitute for legal advice or an attorney-client relationship. If you are seeking legal advice, please contact our law firm directly.