Lawyer for Slip and Fall Accidents at Costco

Costco needs no introduction in the retail market. It is one of America's largest multinational corporations and the third-largest retailer in the world as of 2020. That said, the multi-billion company is also not new to slip and fall lawsuits.

Earlier in 2022, a customer filed a double lawsuit against Costco and Club Demonstration Services, Inc. The lawsuit alleged that the plaintiff slipped and fell inside Costco and sustained injuries.

According to the lawsuit, the customer was shopping at Costco's Carmel Mountain Ranch, San Diego outlet. She then slipped and fell flat on her back after stepping on a slippery substance in one of the aisles. Surveillance footage from the store confirmed the incident.

The video showed a CDS employee walking past the slippery substance twice. Then, seven minutes later, the plaintiff slipped and fell after stepping on the slipper surface.

In 2011, a woman named Amber Morris walked into a Costco in St. Louis. She stepped in a puddle in the store and fell so hard that she dislocated her kneecap. Two weeks after the slip and fall incident, she went in for emergency surgery but never made it out alive. Sadly, she lost her life at the age of 39 and was buried on what would have been her wedding day. As a result, her family filed a lawsuit against Costco.

Do I Need a Lawyer for Slip and Fall Accidents at Costco?

Now that you know you can sue Costco for damages caused by a slip and fall incident at their stores, let's discuss whether you need an attorney to proceed with such a lawsuit.

You do not necessarily need an attorney. However, having one significantly increases your chances of obtaining a favorable outcome. But that is not the only reason to hire an attorney if you slip and fall at Costco.

Costco is a multi-billion company. But this does not mean they will write you a check to settle your medical bills and other damages without a fight. Because they are a big corporation, they can easily afford some of the best defense attorneys to fight back.

The last thing you want is to face such a gigantic company without an attorney. The scope of their legal resources alone could be enough to intimidate you into accepting a lowball settlement or no settlement at all, depending on the circumstances of your case.

But you should not be worried about what when you hire an attorney. And not just any attorney; you need a lawyer or law firm with powerful resources to fight for you against a corporate giant like Costco.

Precisely, you need Morgan and Morgan, the largest personal injury law firm in the country.

Because we have powerful legal resources to fight for you in and out of court, we can never be intimidated by companies like Costco. This is because we know some of these companies use their financial might and resources to bully defenseless victims of their own negligence into surrendering their rights. Unfortunately, the semi-lucky ones settle for less than what they deserve.

But that is not how it works when you have Morgan and Morgan by your side.

Many personal injury attorneys prefer settling these cases out of court. In fact, some defendants use this as an excuse to undervalue claims. While many insurance companies would rather settle out of court because this option saves money and valuable time, certain cases are better handled by a judge or jury. And because many personal injury attorneys are used to settling out of court, most of them lack courtroom experience.

Sometimes, this plays out against the plaintiff. Here's why:

When an attorney lacks courtroom experience, they will want to settle the claim out of court. This, of course, saves both parties a lot of time and resources. But, on the other hand, it could also mean settling for lowball offers.

Insurance companies prefer settling claims out of court to avoid the risk of a harsh judgment in court. Similarly, some attorneys avoid courts because they are not as competent. Therefore, they will settle for anything just to play safe and hide their weaknesses.

At Morgan and Morgan, our attorneys are masters of all trades. If you slip and fall at Costco and choose us to represent you, we will build a strong case against the company (that is, if you have a valid claim). Then, we will evaluate your damages and decide how much compensation you might be entitled to. Finally, after ensuring that everything's in order, we will file a claim with Costco, officially marking the beginning of negotiations between both parties.

However, we choose to begin negotiations out of court to give the other party a fair chance of settling out of court. But if they are unwilling to settle, our attorneys are never afraid to go to court.

In fact, we require our attorneys to handle a certain number of cases in court every year. This requirement gives them the much-needed courtroom experience, which is often overlooked in the world of personal injury litigation, given that most cases are settled out of court.

Thanks to our courtroom experience, we are never afraid of facing any defendant in court. We have filed lawsuits against the likes of T-Mobile, Yahoo, Tesla, and many other corporate giants - a true testimony of our legal prowess.

What Are Some Common Causes of Slip and Falls at Costco?

Slips and falls happen due to various reasons. However, most accidents occur due to:

• Poor storage of merchandise
• Lack of warning signs
• Wet or slippery surfaces
• Uneven surfaces
• Poor lighting

What Damages Can I Recover From a Slip and Fall Accident at Costco?

The kind of damages you may be able to recover will depend on the circumstances of your injuries. Typically, slip and fall victims might be able to recover any of the following damages after filing a successful claim or lawsuit:

• Medical expenses
• Lost wages
• Loss of earning potential
• Cost of transportation to medical appointments
• Cost of medical equipment
• Pain and suffering
• Mental anguish
• Loss of enjoyment of life
• Inconvenience

If the individual suffers severe injuries such as permanent paralysis, their spouse might file a loss of consortium claim. Similarly, the victim's family can file a wrongful death claim or lawsuit if their loved one dies.

The judge or jury might also award the plaintiff punitive damages if the case goes to court. This award is usually meant to punish the defendant for gross negligence. In addition, it serves as a warning to other parties that this kind of negligence should not be tolerated.

What Should I Do If I Slip and Fall at Costco?

Although you may be entitled to compensation following a slip and fall incident at Costco, the settlement amount will also depend on your actions before and after the incident. For example, if you played a part in the injury, this alone could jeopardize your claim. On the other hand, if you take pictures of the dangerous condition, this evidence could help prove your case, edging you close to compensation.

The bottom line is that your actions or inactions can make or break your case. That said, here are some quick tips to guide you if you slip and fall at Costco:

• Call 911 immediately if your injuries are life-threatening
• If not life-threatening, you should still see a doctor no longer than 15 days after the incident
• Take pictures or videos of the dangerous condition that led to your injury
• Collect the contact information of any witnesses
• File a report with the store manager but do not give too many details
• Contact a Morgan and Morgan slip and fall attorney

Here is a more comprehensive guide on what to do if you slip and fall at a grocery store.

Earlier, we mentioned that your actions or inactions could make or break your claim. Therefore, it is also good to know what not to do if you slip and fall at Costco.

• Do not say you feel fine even if you do not feel pain or discomfort. Your words may be used against you later when your injuries begin to show.
• Do not sign any document from Costco, their legal representatives, or their insurer without consulting an attorney.
• Do not accept any settlement offer without consulting an attorney.
• If a company representative contacts you to discuss the accident, do not provide any information other than the date, time, and location of the accident.
• If they need more information, ask them to speak with your attorney.
• If you do not have an attorney just yet, ask them to contact you later, and then contact Morgan and Morgan immediately for a free case evaluation.
• Do not post about the case on social media.
• If you are already undergoing treatment for your injuries, do not skip your medical appointments.
• If you must skip your appointments for any reason, make sure you inform your doctor and attorney about it.

What Should I Look for in a Slip and Fall Attorney?

While there are many things you should look for in such an attorney, it all narrows down to these three: experience, results, and resources.

When you hire an experienced slip and fall attorney, you will not have to worry about settling for a lowball offer. This is because they have handled similar cases before and know their worth. As a result, they do not get excited by just any offer placed on the table.

On the other hand, an inexperienced attorney will likely be over-excited about the settlement offer. When that happens, they will likely accept the settlement just to end the case and add it to their success stories.

But true success in these cases is when the plaintiff receives reasonable compensation for the injuries.

In terms of results, you want a law firm or attorney with a proven history of winning. For example, at Morgan and Morgan, we have helped our clients recover more than $20 billion as compensation for their injuries so far. That is the kind of track record you need to tackle such cases against corporate giants like Costco.

Lastly, you need resources. You will not face a defendant as big (financially) as Costco without powerful legal resources. Because they can afford some good defense attorneys to fight for them, you need even better attorneys on your side.

A law firm or attorney with powerful legal resources can thoroughly investigate your case, leaving no stone unturned. Remember that slip and fall cases require a lot of evidence to prove - the injury itself is not enough.

These companies receive many fraudulent cases and will probably consider yours as one. For this reason, your claim must stand out. It should have the facts needed to prove your injuries and damages suffered. It should be built in such a way that leaves the defendant with no option but to settle.

That is what Morgan and Morgan is all about.

Because we are the country's largest personal injury law firm, we have powerful resources to investigate claims. We can go to lengths ordinary law firms and attorneys can only dream of. And the best part of it all is that you do not pay us anything unless we win.

So what are you waiting for? If you or your loved one sustained injuries due to a slip and fall incident at Costco, all you have to do is fill out our free case evaluation form. Our attorneys might be able to get you the compensation you need and deserve.