What to Do After a Fall In a Retail Store

Posted in Premises Liability on October 24, 2025

As the world’s global mecca for retail, New York is full of busy shoppers in stores ranging from large, landmark department stores to tiny neighborhood bodegas. Regardless of the size and type of store, retail store owners have an enhanced duty of care to the shoppers they invite onto their properties for commercial business purposes. This duty of care obligates New York store owners to regularly inspect for safety hazards, provide adequate maintenance, and promptly address any dangerous condition to avoid causing injury to a shopper. Unfortunately, many store owners put off repairs, provide insufficient maintenance, and ignore unsafe conditions.

Falls are the most common cause of injuries in retail stores. After suffering a slip-and-fall accident in a store, it’s crucial to take steps to protect your physical and financial future.

Contact a premises liability lawyer in NYC today to schedule a free consultation — call (212) 564-2800.

Steps to Take at the Accident Scene After a Slip-and-Fall in a Store

A severe injury from a fall could leave you incapacitated and unable to do anything other than wait for help. Still, many fall victims can safely use their phones to summon help and preserve evidence that can help them recover compensation later through a claim against a negligent store owner. After a fall in a retail store in New York City or elsewhere, take the following steps:

First, use your phone to call 911 for an ambulance for severe injury (traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord damage, etc…), or arrange transportation to an emergency room or urgent care center, and apply any necessary emergency first aid
Then, use the phone’s camera to photograph the cause of the fall, such as a wet floor, loose carpet, or broken stair rail
Photograph any visible injury
Add the contact information of any eyewitnesses to your fall
Ask the store manager to fill out an accident or incident report and to preserve any security camera footage of the fall
Add the store or property owner’s contact information

Always seek medical care as soon as possible after a fall, preferably straight from the location of the fall. This not only ensures that you receive prompt care for your injuries but also provides clear evidence that the injury occurred at the store.

What to Do After Suffering Injuries From a Fall In a Retail Store

After a fall on commercial property, it’s important to address all aspects of your recovery, including your ability to recover compensation for damages like medical expenses and lost earnings, as well as receiving the medical care you need to heal from your injuries.

At the hospital, request a complete medical evaluation to diagnose all injuries, including those that commonly have delayed symptom presentation, such as traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) and whiplash, as well as your obvious emergency injuries, such as fractures, sprains, and bruises. Then, ask for a detailed medical report listing your injuries, the doctor’s recommendations for medical treatment, and your prognosis.

It’s essential to keep copies of all your medical bills, invoices, and receipts. Track and document any missed time from work, and follow your doctor’s treatment instructions carefully.

A NYC Target store accident attorney will fight for the financial compensation you deserve in the event of an injury on their premises.

Call a New York City Personal Injury Lawyer

When a store owner or manager fails to take reasonable measures to prevent a fall, the injury victim doesn’t have to be left responsible for medical bills and other economic consequences, as well as dealing with painful injuries, medical treatment, and lengthy recovery time. By calling a personal injury lawyer, your attorney handles all communication with the property owner and their insurance company, documents compelling evidence of store owner liability, and carefully calculates your damages to maximize your recovery.

You deserve to focus on your physical recovery while your lawyer concentrates on your financial one — contact us online today