Suing a Business For Injury: Everything You Need To Know

It may never have occurred to you that you could be suing a business one day. However, businesses can be just as negligent as individuals. More accurately, the human beings running businesses can be negligent. If you were injured in a business or due to the careless behavior of a business’ employees, you might have grounds for a lawsuit. In many cases, businesses carry insurance just for such an eventuality. The following article covers what you need to know should you find yourself seeking damages from a business.

Common Types of Injuries that Occur Due to Business Negligence

Accidents at businesses and accidents due to business negligence occur all of the time. Here are some of the most common ones:

• Slip and fall accidents. They are also referred to as premises liability accidents.
• Car accidents that are the fault of drivers for the business.
• Negligent retention accidents where the business retains an employee that they knew was violent or dangerous.
• Dog bites where an animal kept by the business attacks a visitor
• Swimming pool drownings and accidents
• Dram shop liability accidents where a bar or restaurant overserves alcoholic beverages to a patron who, in turn, gets into a car accident.
• Inadequate security

There are many more types of accidents that could result in suing a business for an injury.

What You Should Do if You’re Involved in an Accident

According to one personal injury law firm in Los Angeles, you should think of your safety first. If you’re in a dangerous situation, get to a position of safety. If you know you’re injured, call 911. Allow EMS to examine your injuries and treat you on the scene. Take images of the accident area and the conditions that led to your accident with your cellphone. Note the position of any security cameras that may have captured the accident. If you are still on the premises, bring the accident to the attention of the manager. They may need to take action to prevent the same thing from happening to another person.

FAQ about Business Lawsuits

The following questions are commonly asked by accident victims. For specific legal advice about your case, contact a personal injury lawyer in your area.

How long do I have to sue a business for an accident?

The statute of limitations — the time you have to bring forth a lawsuit — varies from state to state. Typically, it’s a set amount of years from the date of the accident.

What if the business has liability insurance?

This is a much better situation for you as the accident victim. Your attorney can approach the insurance company for a settlement and will negotiate with their attorneys. If a settlement can’t be reached, your personal injury lawyer can litigate your claim through the civil courts.

How can I afford an accident attorney?

In most U.S. jurisdictions, personal injury lawyers work on a contingency basis. That means that they are compensated once they bring your case to a successful conclusion. You should not have to pay out-of-pocket fees. You should also receive a payment schedule for your contingency fees prior to committing to a personal injury law firm.

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