When you are hurt while visiting a business location, you may be experiencing the results of a failure. If you can show that the business failed to protect you from an injury, they will owe you money. Find out more below.

What Are Customers Owed?

Businesses owe their customers a safe place to visit. You should not need to do an inspection of a store before you begin shopping there. Stores must be constantly vigilant about protecting customers from safety hazards. They must identify hazards and eradicate them or at least warn the customer about them. For instance, a store may not be able to stop the rain from falling outside, but they can do more to keep the entrance dry and place warning cones there.

Who Is Liable?

In most cases, it's the business owner who is responsible for the safety of guests. They are the ones who train employees, make rules about safety hazards, and create safe shopping environments. When you are hurt in a store, start with the manager on duty. They should be trained to address accidents using safety procedures. Often, that means filling out an accident report or claim for the customer. If you don't get the attention from the management that you deserve, contact the owner of the establishment.

Liability also means that they owe you for your damages. That usually means they should pay you for your medical expenses, ruined personal items, lost wages from work, and pain and suffering. However, being paid what you should be paid can be challenging. Many stores are covered for customer accidents by insurance. Many, though, are not eager to pay the customer enough.

Speak to a Lawyer

If you are getting nowhere with your claim by working with the store management, owner, or insurer, it's probably time to contact a personal injury lawyer. Your lawyer can help you get paid by doing these things:

1. Follow the trail of ownership to identify who is responsible for paying for your damages.
2. Calculate your damages based on your lost wages, medical bills, and other losses.
3. Assemble proof of the accident along with proof of your losses.
4. Send the party a letter of demand that details your losses and how much you expect to be paid.
5. Threaten to file a suit if they don't comply.
6. Negotiate with the responsible party to come to a monetary settlement agreement.

If you have been hurt because a store failed to keep things safe, you are owed money. Speak to a personal injury lawyer to find out more. 

Contact a local firm like Siben & Siben LLP for more info.