Injuries at Home Improvement Stores

Home improvement and home goods stores are places people go all the time. In Redmond, stores like Home Depot, Lowe’s, Ace Hardware, and True Value stay busy. Homeowners shop there. Contractors do too. People go in for one thing and end up walking through the whole store.

These stores sell heavy items. Tools. Lumber. Appliances. Stacked boxes. Shelves go up high. When something is out of place or not secured, it can be dangerous. Accidents happen more often than people expect.

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Why Home Improvement Stores Can Be Dangerous

Big home stores look organized, but there is a lot going on. Hazards are easy to miss. Some common problems include:

• Wet floors near entrances or garden areas
• Spills or debris left in aisles
• Floors that are cracked or uneven
• Pallets, carts, or boxes blocking walkways
• Cords or hoses lying across the floor
• Heavy items stored high on shelves
• Displays packed too tightly
• Forklifts or equipment moving through customer areas

People are usually pushing carts or carrying large items. By design of how in store shopping works, shoppers are looking up and down at merchandise on shelved, not at the floor. That makes it easier to trip or slip which can lead to serious injury.

Common Types of Accidents in Redmond Home Stores

Slip and Fall Accidents

Slips happen when the floor is slick which comes up a lot in home stores. Common reasons include:

• Water tracked in from rain which we know is common in Washington
• Spilled paint or cleaning products
• Recently mopped floors with no warning signs
• Leaks in garden areas

Most customers are not expecting wet floors while shopping for lumber or appliances, especially without signage.

Trip and Fall Accidents

Trips happen when something is in the way, even small objects can cause a fall. Common causes include:

• Boxes or pallets left in aisles
• Loose packaging on the floor
• Uneven flooring or raised edges
• Cords or hoses stretched across walkways

Trips are especially dangerous when someone is pushing a heavy cart or holding bulky items.

Falling Object Injuries

Falling merchandise is one of the most serious risks. Many stores stack heavy products high above the floor. If items shift or are not secured, they can fall without warning.

Washington courts have recognized this risk. In Galassi v. Lowe’s Home Centers, LLC, the court explained that stores must store and display merchandise safely. When heavy items are stacked high, falling accidents are considered predictable and preventable.

Legal Responsibility of Home Improvement Stores

Under Washington law, customers in stores are considered invitees. That means stores have a duty to keep the property reasonably safe.

As obliged by this duty, stores are expected to look for hazards, address and fix them, and warn customers when something is dangerous. This can range from wet floors, blocked aisles, loose cords, or unsafe shelving.

Courts have also made it clear that stores can be responsible when merchandise becomes dangerous because of how it was stacked or displayed.

Injuries That Can Result from Home Store Hazards

Accidents in these stores can cause serious injuries. Some examples include:

• Broken bones in arms, wrists, legs, hips, or ribs
• Head injuries and concussions
• Back and neck injuries
• Cuts from sharp or heavy items
• Internal injuries from falls or falling products

Some injuries seem minor at first but pain can show up later. Recovery can take much longer than expected so it is important to seek appropriate medical care promptly.

Why These Claims Are Often Disputed

Large retail chains often fight injury claims and insurance companies get involved quickly. Common arguments include:

• The hazard was easy to see
• The problem was only there for a short period of time that was not reasonable to address and fix it
• The customer was not paying attention
• There is not sufficient proof of how the fall occurred

Video footage and store records do not last forever. If evidence is not saved early, it can be lost.

What to Do After an Accident at a Redmond Home Store

If you are injured in a home improvement or home goods store, timing matters.

• Report the fall as soon as it happens. Let a manager know what occurred and ask for an incident report. Check that it notes where you fell and what caused it.
• Get checked out by a doctor. Try to see a medical provider within a day or two, even if you feel okay at first. Some injuries do not show up right away.
• Take pictures if you are able. Get photos of what caused you to fall, the area around it, and any visible injuries.
• Talk to anyone who saw it happen. If there were witnesses, ask for their names and contact information before they leave.
• Ask about security cameras. Many stores have video footage that may show the hazard or the fall. That footage can be erased quickly if it is not saved.
• Be cautious with forms or statements. Do not guess about who was at fault or minimize your injuries. Avoid signing anything or giving recorded statements unless you understand them.
• Be careful on social media. Posts and photos can be taken out of context and used to argue that you were not really hurt.
• Do not put it off. Conditions get fixed, video disappears, and memories fade. Even though Washington law usually allows three years to file a claim, waiting can make it much harder to prove what happened.

How a Redmond Premises Liability Lawyer Can Help

A lawyer can review what happened and explain whether the store may be responsible.

This can include looking at reports, video, and how the store was set up. A lawyer can also help preserve evidence and pursue compensation for medical bills, lost income, and ongoing problems.

Speaking With a Redmond Premises Liability Lawyer

Accidents in stores like Home Depot and Lowe’s are often disputed. If you were injured in a Redmond home store, it is important to understand your options.

Contact Attorney Gurj Narwal at Narwal Injury Law to speak about your slip and fall accident at Costco. The best part: you pay nothing upfront! We work on a contingency fee basis which means that we only get paid if you get your money!