Can I Sue for Injuries I Received During Black Friday?
Shoppers around the country set out to get the best deal the day after Thanksgiving, known as Black Friday. And, those who do not choose to partake in the mayhem stay home to watch the videos of the chaos that ensues. For those who are brave enough to venture out and catch those excellent doorbusters, the risk of injury is apparent.
When the doors open, thousands of hungry shoppers will rush through the doors to grab the products on their list. In that rush, it is not uncommon for some shoppers to be crushed, suffer from broken bones, or even traumatic brain injuries.
If you were injured during a Black Friday shopping trip, you may be wondering if you can sue for those injuries. You can. However, you will have to prove that the person or the store was liable for your injuries – and, with the chaos that surrounded your injury, that may be difficult.
What is Negligence?
Negligence is what a plaintiff will show when proving that a defendant owed them a duty of care and failed to act on that duty. Their failure to act is what resulted in the plaintiff’s injuries and the plaintiff is then entitled to compensation for their injuries.
For example, during Black Friday, say you are injured as you attempt to enter a store. You may have a claim against the store’s owner, because that owner owed you a duty of care to properly channel customers through their doors in the rush – especially when the owner knew that there would be excessive crowds and shoppers attempting to enter, and they failed to protect customers.
You will then need to prove causation after you have established the negligent party. If you were pushed and suffered from broken bones or head trauma, you can seek compensation for the injuries, losses, and future losses you may experience.
Simply assuming that the store owner is liable for your injuries is not enough. It requires that you prove:
- The owner owed a duty of care in the first place.
- The owner breached that duty of care.
- Their breach of duty is what caused your injury.
- Your injury resulted in losses or damages (costs that you experienced out of pocket).
What Compensation Can I Receive?
If you do have a valid claim against the store owner, security company, or even a customer, you may be entitled to compensation for your injuries. The type of compensation you can receive will depend on the circumstances of your case. Some compensation you may receive includes:
- Medical costs
- Lost wages
- Pain and suffering
- Property damage
Speak with an Attorney
If you are injured in a store – during Black Friday or any other time – you will want to speak with a Las Vegas personal injury attorney to see if you have a valid case for premises liability. Contact the personal injury attorneys at De Castroverde Law Group today. Schedule your consultation by calling 702-222-9999 or by filling out an online contact form with your questions.