Steps to Take After a Slip and Fall in a Shopping Center Parking Lot

Slipping and falling in a shopping center parking lot can leave you feeling quite shaken, regardless of whether it happened in a bustling place like the St. Louis Galleria or a more low-key spot. These falls can lead to serious injuries, so it’s crucial to understand the steps to take afterward to safeguard your entitlement to any compensation you may be due.

From getting medical care to documenting the scene, each step helps safeguard your well-being and potential settlement claims. If you’re hurt in a shopping center parking lot, our St. Louis slip and fall injury lawyers at Cofman Townsley can help you through the claims process to get the compensation you deserve. 

Shopping Center Owner/Manager Liability

Shopping center owners and managers are legally obligated to maintain safe premises, including parking lots. This responsibility includes actions such as: 

• Conducting regular safety inspections
• Prompt repair of surface damage
• Ensuring proper lighting
• Clearing hazards like snow and debris
• Posting warning signs for temporary dangers
• Implementing adequate security measures
• Marking parking spaces and pedestrian pathways clearly
• Installing surveillance cameras for monitoring
• Providing clear signage for steps and ramps
• Regularly checking for compliance with local safety regulations

When a parking lot is neglected, it can become dangerous and lead to accidents, sometimes with serious injuries. If you’ve slipped and fallen because the parking lot wasn’t properly maintained, you may be able to hold the owner or manager responsible through a personal injury claim.

Immediate Steps to Take Post-Injury

If you’ve suffered injuries from a slip and fall at a shopping center, it’s essential to act quickly to look after your health and legal rights. Here are some steps you can take to make sure your case is solid:

• Seek immediate medical attention. Visit a doctor as soon as possible. Some injuries, like head trauma, may not show symptoms right away. Prompt medical attention supports your physical recovery and creates a record of your injuries for potential legal action.

• Report the incident to shopping center management. Locate the property manager and file an incident report. This is an official record of the accident, which you can use to support your claim. 

• Document the accident scene and your injuries. Take photographs of where and how the fall happened and any visible injuries you sustained. Capture cracks in the pavement, ice, or any other environmental factors that caused your fall. Photograph nearby surveillance cameras so your attorney can obtain the footage. 

• Keep a detailed record of all medical treatments. Save all medical reports, receipts, and correspondence related to your injury. Detailed records ensure that you can accurately claim all related expenses for medical care in your case.

• Gather witness information. Witnesses can provide objective accounts of the incident, which may corroborate your version of events. Get the contact details of any witnesses who saw you fall and forward them to your attorney.

Proving the Shopping Center is Liable for Your Damages

To secure a settlement for your injuries, you must meet certain criteria set by premises liability law. It is wise to speak with a seasoned personal injury attorney soon after your accident so they can guide you in demonstrating the following:

• The presence of a dangerous condition in the parking lot: Prove that a hazardous situation, like potholes, ice, or unmarked construction, led to your fall. Pictures of the area and maintenance logs can be critical evidence in your case.

• The shopping center management’s awareness of the hazard: Establish that the mall management knew about the parking lot’s dangerous condition or should have known through regular maintenance checks. Witness statements from employees or other shoppers can support this claim.

• Direct link between the parking lot’s condition and your injury: Demonstrate that your injury was a direct result of the hazardous parking lot, not due to any fault of your own. This might involve medical reports and expert testimony.

• Incurred damages from the fall: Your attorney must prove that the fall financially and emotionally impacted your life. They can use medical bills, receipts for medication and counseling, and W2s to show your accident-related damages. 

How Hiring a Lawyer Can Help

Choosing a lawyer from Cofman Townsley can streamline the claims process for your slip and fall incident. Our legal professionals can assist with the following, ensuring you secure financial compensation from a negligent mall owner:

• Navigate legal procedures. We understand the complexities of the law and can handle filing deadlines, documentation, and court appearances, making the process less stressful for you.  

• Investigate the incident. Our firm can thoroughly investigate the accident, securing crucial evidence such as surveillance footage and witness testimony to build a strong foundation for your claim.

• Advocate on your behalf. An experienced lawyer can handle all communications with insurance companies and defense attorneys, advocating for your interests to achieve a fair settlement.

• Assess your damages. Our legal team can evaluate the full extent of your losses, including medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering, to ensure that compensation covers all your needs.

• Provide expert resources. We can bring in medical professionals, safety experts, and accident reconstruction experts to strengthen your claim and give a clear picture of the incident’s impact.

• Represent you in court. If a settlement cannot be reached, we are prepared to take your case to trial, representing you with skill and dedication.

Get a Fair Payout for Your Slip and Fall Injuries

If you’ve had a slip and fall in a mall parking lot in St. Louis, contact Cofman Townsley for a free case review. Our experienced legal team is skilled in representing victims’ rights against aggressive commercial property insurance companies and can help you get a fair payout for your damages.