In California, Costco is a warehouse big box store that hosts a variety of products, from groceries to clothing and home goods. There are over 120 locations in California alone, with each store requiring an annual membership so that prices can stay low. With Costco being such a huge store, there are always opportunities for serious accidents to occur. If you or someone you love has been involved in an accident at a Costco location, it is crucial that you understand your legal rights.
Our attorneys at Maison Law are here for you after you have been hurt in an accident at a California Costco or any other big box store. It can be devastating to sustain injuries in an accident that is not your fault. This is especially true when it happens so suddenly and leaves you out of work and with medical bills you cannot afford on your own. We are here for you every step of the way. Please contact us today for a completely confidential and free case consultation.
Common Accidents at California Costco Stores
Because Costco is endless square footage with so much to see, it is easy to see why accidents occur in these stores every year. From aisles with shelves filled to the brim with merchandise and thousands of grocery items to choose from, accidents can take on many forms when they do occur at Costco. Some common types of accidents that occur in these stores include:
Food and Liquid Spills: In Costco, products can fall onto the floor in the grocery aisles at any given time. When customers are searching for food, they could slip on a spill that they do not see until it is too late. Somebody who falls on hard flooring at Costco could suffer from a dislocation, a broken bone, or some worse type of injury.
Falling Merchandise: While walking down the aisles at Costco, a misplaced product could fall from an overhead shelf at any point. This could strike a customer and cause a brain injury or another type of debilitating injury depending on the product.
Defective or Missing Lighting: If there is inadequate lighting inside Costco or outside in the parking lot, somebody could run into something or trip and fall. On top of this, a lack of outdoor lighting could lead to an increase in crime on the property at night.
Improperly Maintained Shopping Carts: If a shopping cart is not properly maintained or starts to malfunction, a shopper could lose control of the cart. This could lead to extensive injuries if it strikes another shopper.
Improperly Maintained Sidewalks or Parking Lots: A sidewalk or parking lot with pot holes and other types of defects can cause serious harm when somebody trips and falls.
Dog Bites: Costco does not allow pet dogs in their store unless it is a service dog. However, an owner could disobey these rules and bring their pet into the store regardless. If a dog bite occurs, the owner or the store could share liability depending on the circumstances.
Bringing a Successful Claim Against Costco After an Accident
You may think that, after a Costco accident, bringing a claim is as simple as saying that you have sustained injuries. However, premises liability claims are a bit more complex than this. You will have to prove some of the following elements to be successful in a claim:
- You sustained injuries on a Costco property and a medical doctor can corroborate this.
- You can prove that there was a hazardous condition that led to your accident and injuries.
- The property owner, manager, or an employee acted negligently and this led to your accident even though they were supposed to keep you safe from harm.
To be successful in your claim against Costco, you will need to support your claim with medical records, photographs, video footage, eyewitness statements, and more. You should also make sure that you report the injury to Costco so that it is on record.
Damages Available in a Claim Against Costco
If you have suffered from devastating injuries due to an accident at Costco, you may be eligible for a wide array of damages. These include the following:
- Hospitalizations and other medical bills
- Future medical treatment related to your injuries
- Lost income and loss of future earning capacity
- Property damage
- Pain and mental suffering
- Wrongful death damages when a life has been lost
These damages are supposed to make you and your family feel whole again following an accident. With the help of an attorney, you can identify what damages may be available for you and what to expect along the way.
Contact a California Big Box Store Injury Lawyer Today
From the moment that you step onto the property of a Costco store, you should be protected from any and all harm. However, sometimes Costco and other big box stores fail to fulfill their duty of care to shoppers, which can lead to immense harm in the event of an accident.
Luckily, our California big box store injury lawyers are here to protect your rights after a life-altering accident at Costco. We understand that you may be struggling physically and financially after an accident, which is why we will stand by your side during these difficult times. Our attorneys have the skills and necessary resources to negotiate with the insurance company on your behalf and help you obtain financial support you need. Please do not hesitate to contact us for a no-obligation and completely free case consultation.
