During the holiday season, especially in Pittsburgh, shopping can be dangerous for everyone involved. In preparation for the Christmas season and the days following Christmas, if you or a loved one has been seriously injured while shopping or working in retail, contact us today.
Black Friday Shopping Dangers
In order to get a great position at the door of the mall or business with the best sale, many customers will drive with little sleep, even in bad road conditions. This is all in an effort to get a better deal than other customers.
If you happen to be the fortunate customer who finds the last item at an incredible price, our advice is to cover it with other items in your cart and try to avoid that area of the store. This is all in an effort to try and minimize possibilities of confrontation.
In the spirit of the season, be courteous to other shoppers around you and don’t be perceived as someone who cuts lines. It will cause the possibly of an altercation.
Safety of All Patrons and Employees
In a substantial effort to ramp-up end-of-year profits, major retailers will offer some of their best deals of the year on Black Friday. Even in the midst of all the crowds, excitement, and confusion, retailers have an obligation to maintain a safe shopping environment for their employees and customers. Business owners also have a duty to maintain safe parking lots, sidewalks, stairs, and railings that are clear of water, ice, and obstacles to prevent personal injury.
Peace and Joy While Shopping?
Each year we hear, read and witness through video several accounts of holiday madness: stampedes in which customers and employees are crushed, shoved, or fall down because of retail customers who can at times aggressively fill their shopping carts. The Workers’ Compensation Safety and Health Archives report that crowds can reach levels that are almost impossible to prevent or control. There has been evidence of bent steel railings after several fatal crowd incidents show forces of more than 1,200lbs occurred. This is due to the domino effect of people leaning against each other.
Personal Injuries During the Holidays
When a place of business does not provide a safe workplace and shopping environment and an employee or customer suffers an accident, injury, or even wrongful death, retail stores and malls are responsible. This includes: medical bills, lost wages and continuing disability, pain, suffering, and inconvenience caused by their carelessness. If you or a loved one has experienced any severe injuries due to the holiday shopping season, contact Bernard M. Tully today. We are here to represent you.
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to you and your family.