When a child is injured in a store due to a slippery floor or other hazard, a Washington slip and fall lawyer can help parents understand who may be held accountable. At Herschensohn Law Firm, PLLC, we work with families dealing with the legal and medical fallout of these injuries, which often raise unique liability questions.
Property Owners Owe A Duty Of Care To Children
Retail store owners have a duty to keep walkways, aisles, and common areas safe for all guests including children. When a child slips on a spilled liquid, loose floor mat, or recently cleaned surface with no warning sign, the store may be liable if they failed to address the danger in a timely way.
What sets child injury cases apart is the legal concept that children may not perceive or avoid hazards the same way adults can. That means property owners must account for child-specific risks, especially in areas like toy aisles, food courts, or entryways during bad weather. A store’s legal responsibility is measured against what a reasonable business would do under similar circumstances.
Comparing Supervision And Store Negligence
In many cases, store insurers try to shift blame to the parents or guardians, arguing that a child was not properly supervised. However, the focus remains on whether the store allowed a dangerous condition to exist. If a child slips on melted ice cream left on the floor for an extended period, that’s an issue of premises liability, regardless of adult supervision.
Parents may still pursue compensation even if the child was momentarily unsupervised, so long as it can be shown that store staff knew or should have known about the hazard. We regularly guide families through this kind of legal analysis as part of broader personal injury support strategies. One piece of advice we can offer is to take photos and videos of the scene before leaving to show the property’s negligence.
Damages And Legal Procedures Involving Minors
Slip and fall cases involving children follow different procedures in Washington. Settlements for minors often require court approval to protect the child’s interests. Compensation may cover medical treatment, future care, and any long-term effects the injury could cause.
Parents are often surprised by the process involved, especially when a child’s medical costs or recovery time increases. We help families understand each step in handling personal injury claims so nothing is overlooked when a child is hurt in a retail environment. If you have already started down this path, be sure to keep all the records you can of medical visits and bills even for several months after the injury.
Choosing Representation That Understands Family Injury Claims
Parents deserve a law firm that will treat their child’s case with care. We’re proud to be rated among the Top 100 Trial Lawyers by The National Trial Lawyers and to have earned a 9.9 rating on Avvo for our client-focused work across Washington.
Hiring the right attorney makes a difference in these sensitive cases. We believe families benefit from legal guidance that’s both strategic and compassionate, especially when injuries affect children in public spaces. We would advise that you don’t sign anything after an accident in case you waive your rights. Contact a lawyer as soon as possible so you know what to do.
If your child was injured after slipping in a retail store, Herschensohn Law Firm, PLLC can help determine whether the store or another party may be liable for the conditions that caused the fall.
