Maison Law helps people that are hurt in slip-and-fall accidents at California Target stores. A slip-and-fall accident raises a lot of questions, starting with whether or not you even need a lawyer. Like many accidents, it depends on the situation. No matter what you’re facing, our team is here to help. Contact us today for a free consultation.
Do I Need a Lawyer After a Slip-and-Fall Accident at Target?
Technically, you’re not required by law to get a lawyer after a slip-and-fall accident at Target, but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t. These cases can quickly become complicated, especially when dealing with injuries, fault, and corporate insurance teams and legal departments. That’s why having a lawyer is crucial–it makes the process easier and makes sure you don’t get taken advantage of. Specifically, here’s how our team at Maison Law can help you:
- Explaining things – We’ll explain your rights under California law and walk you through your legal options so you understand your case.
- Investigating what happened – We gather evidence, review surveillance footage, interview witnesses, and examine store policies to determine liability.
- Building your claim – From medical records to incident reports, we’ll help compile everything needed to strengthen your case.
- Dealing with insurance – We handle all communication with Target’s insurance representatives to prevent them from undermining your claim.
- Negotiating a fair settlement – Whether it’s medical bills, lost wages, or pain and suffering, we’ll put everything together to try to get you a fair settlement.
- Going to court – If negotiations don’t lead to a fair outcome, we’re prepared to take your case to trial and stand up for your rights.
Recovering from a slip-and-fall injury is already challenging without the added stress of legal and financial problems. Our team is here to lift that burden so you can focus on healing while we handle the legal details. While we are happy to take the burden off of you, it is important that you understand how the claims process works so you can be prepared.
What’s the Claims Process After a Slip-and-Fall Accident at Target?
If you’re moving forward with a claim, the first step in the process is figuring out who’s responsible. Like any other accident, slip-and-fall cases rely on negligence–meaning someone failed to act in a way that lead to your injury. Most often, Target (as a company) is responsible if they:
- Failed to keep the store safe (e.g., uncleaned spills, poor lighting, or broken flooring).
- Didn’t respond to reported hazards in time, which didn’t fix the dangerous conditions.
However, other parties might also share responsibility, like:
- Target employees who ignored or caused the hazard.
- Maintenance or security companies hired by Target.
- Product manufacturers if a faulty product contributed to the accident.
- Government agencies if the fall involved public sidewalks or parking lots.
If Target’s negligence caused your injury, you have the right to file a claim–either through an insurance settlement or a lawsuit. Once you file your claim, you have the ability to recover damages for your:
- Medical expenses relating to your hospital bills, rehab, medications, and other treatment.
- Lost income from missed work and future earning potential.
- Pain and suffering for your physical pain.
- Emotional distress for emotional trauma like anxiety, stress, or PTSD.
- Repair/replacement costs for damaged property like your phone or clothes.
- Costs relating to your loss of enjoyment of life.
California law gives you two years from the accident date to file a claim. Missing this deadline could mean losing your right to even file a claim and recover damages. More to the point, though, you also need to put together a strong claim.
How Can You Put Together a Strong Claim After a Slip-and-Fall at Target?
Slip-and-fall accidents can happen at Target, but the company is responsible for keeping stores safe. If they fail to do so and you get hurt, taking the right steps immediately can strengthen your claim and help you get a fair settlement. Here’s how you can do that:
- Get medical help – Prioritize your health. Ask a Target employee for first aid, visit urgent care, or go to the emergency room if needed. Keep all medical records.
- Report the accident – Tell a manager or employee about what happened immediately. Make sure an incident report is filed and request a copy for your records.
- Take pictures and videos of the accident scene – Take pictures or videos of the hazard that caused your fall, the surrounding area, and your injuries. Visual evidence is key.
- Talk to any witnesses – If anyone saw the accident, get their names and contact information. Their statements can support your case.
- Don’t repair items – Keep your clothes and shoes from the accident as they may serve as evidence. Do not wash or repair them.
- Document your injuries – Track your symptoms, take photos of your injuries, and keep a journal of any pain or limitations. Save all medical bills and records.
- Be careful – Avoid speaking with Target’s insurance or legal team in detail about what happened. If you do talk, be careful and just stick to the facts. Also, don’t post about your accident on social media.
Target has a legal duty to maintain a safe environment. If they fail to fix or warn about hazards, they can be held liable. Taking these steps not only protects your health but also strengthens your case, making it harder for Target to deny responsibility.
Outside of that, taking these steps and working with our slip-and-fall lawyers at Maison Law can put you in the best position to recover financial support for your medical expenses, lost income, pain, and other damages. Contact us today for a free consultation.
