Injured In A Store In California?

If you were injured in a store in California, you should get medical treatment right away, document the dangerous condition, avoid speaking with the store’s insurance company, and contact an experienced California personal injury lawyer immediately to protect your right to compensation. 

Every year, thousands of Californians are seriously injured in grocery stores, big-box retailers, convenience stores, shopping malls, and small businesses. These injuries are often dismissed as “accidents,” but in reality, many store injuries happen because businesses fail to keep their premises safe.

At The Law Offices Of Gerald L. Marcus, we represent people across California who were injured in stores due to unsafe conditions, negligent maintenance, and preventable hazards.

Store Injuries Are More Serious Than Most People Realize

Retail stores are legally required to keep their premises reasonably safe for customers. When they fail to do so, injuries can be severe and life-changing.

Common store-related injuries include:

• Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs)

• Back and spinal cord injuries

• Broken hips, wrists, ankles, and arms

• Torn ligaments and soft-tissue injuries

• Internal injuries

• Permanent disability

• Wrongful death in extreme cases

A single fall or incident inside a store can change your life forever.

Common Ways People Are Injured in California Stores

Store injuries happen for many reasons, but the most common causes include:

Slip and Fall Accidents

• Wet floors without warning signs

• Spilled liquids left unattended

• Recently mopped floors

• Leaking refrigeration units

• Rainwater tracked inside without mats

Trip and Fall Hazards

• Uneven flooring

• Torn carpets or mats

• Cords, boxes, or merchandise in walkways

• Broken tiles

• Raised floor edges

Falling Merchandise

• Improperly stacked shelves

• Overloaded displays

• Items falling from high racks

• Unsecured end-caps

Unsafe Entrances and Exits

• Broken doors

• Uneven entryways

• Poor lighting

• Slippery ramps

Negligent Store Maintenance

• Broken handrails

• Unsafe staircases

• Defective escalators or elevators

• Poorly maintained bathrooms

These conditions are not unavoidable accidents — they are safety failures.

What to Do Immediately After Being Injured in a Store

What you do in the minutes and days after a store injury can determine whether you receive fair compensation or nothing at all.

Step 1: Get Medical Treatment Immediately

Your health comes first.

• Seek emergency care if needed

• Go to urgent care or your doctor as soon as possible

• Follow all treatment recommendations

🚨 Delaying medical care allows insurance companies to argue you were not seriously injured.

Step 2: Report the Injury to Store Management

Ask for a manager and make sure an incident report is created.

• Request a copy if possible

• Do not speculate or admit fault

• Stick to the facts

Step 3: Document the Scene

If you are able, gather evidence immediately.

Take photos or video of:

• The hazard that caused your injury

• The surrounding area

• Warning signs (or lack of them)

• Your injuries

Get contact information for:

• Employees

• Witnesses

📸 Hazards are often fixed quickly after someone is injured. Evidence disappears fast.

Step 4: Do NOT Talk to the Store’s Insurance Company

You may be contacted quickly by:

• Store risk management

• Corporate insurance adjusters

Do not:

• Give recorded statements

• Sign documents

• Accept quick settlement offers

Insurance companies are not on your side — their goal is to minimize payouts.

Step 5: Contact a California Store Injury Lawyer

Serious store injuries require legal experience.

An attorney can:

• Preserve evidence

• Investigate store negligence

• Handle insurance communications

• Calculate the true value of your claim

• File a lawsuit if necessary

📞 Call 818-784-8544 as soon as possible. Waiting can cost you your case.

Who Is Liable If You Are Injured in a Store in California?

California store injury cases fall under premises liability law.

A store may be liable if:

• A dangerous condition existed

• The store knew or should have known about it

• The hazard caused your injury

Potentially Liable Parties Include

• The store owner

• The corporation operating the store

• Property owners or landlords

• Maintenance or cleaning companies

• Third-party vendors

Large retailers often try to shift blame. Proper investigation is critical.

Examples of Store Negligence

• Failing to clean spills promptly

• Ignoring known hazards

• Poor employee training

• Lack of warning signs

• Inadequate inspection policies

Negligence does not require intent — failure to act is enough.

California Comparative Fault and Store Injuries

California uses pure comparative negligence.

This means:

• You can still recover compensation even if partially at fault

• Your compensation is reduced by your percentage of fault

Insurance companies often try to:

• Blame footwear

• Claim distraction

• Argue “open and obvious” hazards

An experienced lawyer pushes back against these tactics.

What Compensation Can You Recover After a Store Injury?

Depending on your case, compensation may include:

Economic Damages

• Medical bills

• Future medical care

• Lost wages

• Loss of earning capacity

Non-Economic Damages

• Pain and suffering

• Emotional distress

• Loss of enjoyment of life

• Permanent disability

Wrongful Death Damages (If a Loved One Died)

• Funeral and burial expenses

• Loss of financial support

• Loss of companionship

Why Store Injury Claims Are Heavily Defended

Retail corporations aggressively defend injury claims because:

• They face thousands of claims annually

• Admitting fault sets precedent

• Corporate insurers aim to limit exposure

They use:

• Surveillance footage selectively

• Delays and paperwork

• Lowball settlement offers

You should never go up against them alone.

Why Choose The Law Offices Of Gerald L. Marcus

Injured Californians choose The Law Offices Of Gerald L. Marcus because serious injuries demand serious representation.

What Sets Our Firm Apart

• Decades of experience handling store injury and premises liability cases

• Proven results against large corporations and insurers

• Trial-ready approach — we prepare every case as if it will go to court

• Plaintiff-only representation — we never work for insurance companies

• Direct communication and personal attention

We do not rush cases. We build them to win.

How We Help After a Store Injury

Our firm handles everything so you can focus on healing:

• Investigating the store and hazard

• Preserving surveillance footage

• Identifying all liable parties

• Working with medical experts

• Handling insurance negotiations

• Filing lawsuits when necessary

📞 Call 818-784-8544 now to protect your rights.

How Long Do You Have to File a Store Injury Claim in California?

In most cases, you have two years from the date of injury.

⚠️ Shorter deadlines apply if:

• A government-owned store or property is involved

Missing deadlines can permanently bar your claim.

Common Mistakes to Avoid After a Store Injury

• Waiting to see a doctor

• Failing to document the hazard

• Giving recorded statements

• Accepting early settlements

• Posting on social media

Each mistake can significantly reduce your compensation.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Can I sue a store for being injured in California?

Yes, if the injury was caused by a dangerous condition the store failed to fix or warn about.

What if the store says the hazard was obvious?

That does not automatically defeat your claim. Liability depends on the facts.

Do I need a lawyer for a store injury claim?

If you were seriously injured, legal representation greatly increases your chance of fair compensation.

Do I pay anything upfront?

No. You pay nothing unless compensation is recovered.

The Bottom Line

Being injured in a store is not “just bad luck.”
Many store injuries are preventable and legally actionable.

If a store’s negligence caused your injury, you have the right to pursue compensation — and the sooner you act, the stronger your case.

Call The Law Offices Of Gerald L. Marcus Right Now

If you were injured in a store anywhere in California, do not wait.

📞 Call 818-784-8544 now for a free consultation

• No upfront fees

• Statewide representation

• Aggressive pursuit of full compensation

The store has lawyers. The insurance company has lawyers.
Make sure you do too.