What if I was Injured at a Mall in Los Angeles? 4 Common Mall Injuries to be Aware of

Whether you’re shopping for a new outfit at Macy’s or getting the latest iPhone at the Apple store, there’s always a risk for injuries at a mall.

From the Glendale Galleria to Westfield Century City, shopping malls are big business in the Los Angeles area.  The South Coast Plaza in Costa Mesa attracts more than 20 million visitors each year. 

While most mall-goers shop without conflict, occasionally, people are injured. 

One of the more common injuries involves a slip or fall. A slip or fall can range anywhere from tripping over an uneven walkway to getting your clothes stuck in an escalator. 

As frequent as a slip or fall may be, they can be difficult to prove. A slip or fall is a premises liability claim, as the injury occurred on someone else’s property.

In a slip and fall case, a plaintiff would have to show:

• The defendant controlled the premises and had a duty of care 
• The defendant was negligent in the use or maintenance of the property 
• The plaintiff was injured 
• The defendant’s negligence caused the injuries sustained by the plaintiff

Let’s imagine there’s a water leak from the ceiling, which makes the floor slippery. The mall needs to put out a sign warning shoppers of the potential for a slip. 

A more rare, but possible, injury at a mall is a dog bite.

Generally, only service animals are allowed.  However, customers will often bring their canine friends along as a shopping companion. 

The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals offers tips on ways a dog may indicate it’s prepared to bite.

• An aggressive dog may try to make themselves look bigger than they actually are. This means they might put up their ears, and their tail may stand on end or puff out.
• An anxious or scared dog may try to make themselves look smaller than they actually are. This means they may crouch to the ground, lower their head, or put their tail between their legs.

Some dogs may show a combination of both postures.

Furthermore, an incident may occur outside the mall in a parking lot. With hundreds of shoppers searching for parking, car accidents seem inevitable.

A few recurring car accident situations are:

• Speeding – A mall parking lot will usually have a posted speed limit.  The National Motorists Association recommends staying below 15 miles per hour at all times.
• Distracted driving – Drivers may focus on newly purchased items, or their kids in the backseat. These distractions can potentially lead to a crash.
• Backing out of a spot – Drivers may literally be in a tight spot, with another driver waiting for their parking space. When backing out, it’s important to be cautious of the surrounding area, as backing out too quickly can lead to an accident.

Another recurrent accident seen at mall parking lots involves pedestrians. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, around 26 percent of all pedestrian accident fatalities in California occur in Los Angeles county. 

According to California Vehicle Code 21950, drivers should yield to pedestrians at all times, whether they are in a marked crosswalk or not. Drivers may be distracted, speeding, or just not paying attention, leading to an accident. 

Some of the more common injuries seen after a pedestrian accident are:

• Broken bones 
• Sprains and fractures
• Back injury
• Back pain
• Neck injury
• Neck pain
• Traumatic Brain Injury 
• Cuts and lacerations 
• Permanent scarring
• Internal injuries
• Internal bleeding
• Post-traumatic stress disorder

Whether you were injured inside while shopping, or outside in the parking lot, navigating the post-accident world can prove tricky.

Dealing with insurance companies and mall ownership may be exhausting, especially if you are attempting this on your own.

It’s important to have not only a good support system, but someone that can help guide your case as you search for maximum compensation and a positive end result. 

At C&B Law Group, our Burbank personal injury attorneys vow to be on your side during your mall injury suit. We have six years of experience building cases, and a proven track record of recovering substantial compensation for our clients.

We’ve helped clients recover damages for personal injuries such as:

• Medical expenses
• Lost wages
• Pain and suffering

Our personal injury attorneys in California at C&B Law Group want to help.

If you were injured while shopping at a local mall in the Los Angeles area, call us today for a free consultation.