Big departmental and retailer chains like Walmart, stores like Lowes and Home Depots, grocery stores, and Kroger, Safeway or any other local store that invite customers to have liability to keep the public safe. Large stores also have heavy materials to sell like tools, construction materials, building products, etc. Therefore, the chances of getting slip and fall accidents in these types of stores are more and even injuries are more hazardous. Hiring a slip and fall lawyer in Toronto Grillo Barristers will help you in filing the case and claiming for your injury.
The obligation to keep the store safe:
All stores that are open to the public are legally obligated for the safety of the customers. Slip and fall injuries happen due to unsafe conditions on the premises of the store.
Common reasons that cause slip and fall injuries
1) One of the most common causes is heavy and large tools, construction materials and big products that are found in large departmental stores. Such materials can cause serious injuries.
2) An improperly placed floor mat that can cause tripping
3) Slipping on water
4) Spilled industrial liquids like paints
5) Heavy items that may fall like tiles, lumber, boxes, tools
6) Fallen over a ladder, trolley
7) Slipping on snow, ice, rainwater
8) Fallen due to poor visibility issues
The legal responsibility of the store will depend on whether the store had the notice of this unsafe condition and failed to take the prompt action to correct it or not.
The duty of care:
According to Ontario’s Occupier’s Liability Act Sectio 3(1), the occupier of the store owns a duty to take care of the premises so that it is reasonably safe for the public who enters it. This duty of care involves:
1) Regularly floor cleaning
2) Checking of the floors for fallen materials and spills
3) Put hazardous signs like “Slippery or wet floors” when the floor is wet
4) Ensuring proper visibility and light
5) Ensuring neat and clean storage
6) Regular maintenance of the premises
How the store is held liable for injuries?
A store is held liable for injuries if it created any sort of unsafe condition or failed to take steps to correct it even after it came into the notice of the premises owner. Similarly, if the customer was potential enough to notice and thus could have avoided the condition, then the store can’t be held responsible.
The key to the case is the evidence showing proof of liability
Whether the store should have avoided the unsafe condition or whether the customer should have noticed and avoided the injury will be the key of settlement award.
For this, you need to hire a slip and fall lawyer in Toronto Grillo Barristers. We have over 30 years of experience in handling personal injury cases. We are expert in settling the claims by providing high compensation to our clients.
