Black Friday will begin the holiday shopping madness. Enjoy yourself but keep safety in mind.
The Chicago car accident lawyers and the personal injury attorneys at Abels & Annes wish everyone a happy holiday and safe shopping. But with more than half of annual retail sales expected between now and the end of the year, heavy traffic, big crowds, overstocked stores and poorly lit or maintained parking lots all present risk of serious injury.
Malls, store owners and retail outlets have a duty to provide a safe environment. Store events deliberately promoted to draw large crowds can pose a danger to customers seriously injured by falling merchandise, dark or faulty stairwells and parking lots, as well as other hazards, including pedestrian accidents and car accidents occurring in parking lots.
In fact, the Occupational Health and Safety Administration has issued guidelines for businesses dealing with large crowds during the holidays.
“Crowd-related injuries during special retail sales and promotional events have increased during recent years,” said Jordan Barab, acting assistant secretary for OSHA. “Many of these incidents could be prevented, and this fact sheet provides retail employers with guidelines for avoiding injuries during the holiday shopping season.”
The Illinois Attorney General has released the 2009 Safe Shopping Guide, which includes 121 recalled children’s products.
And keeping safety in mind while in parking lots can go a long way toward keeping you and your family safe this holiday season.
-Drive defensively -Turn on headlights for safety -Park in a well-lit area -Turn off the radio -Get off the phone -Drive slowly -Take a second look behind you before backing -Watch for pedestrians, kids, parents with strollers -Be alert for other hazards, like rolling carts -Park at the end of an aisle -Park properly centered in your space -Pull through into the abutting open space -Park next to a nice car -Pay attention when walking -Put your cart away -Pay attention to stop signs and obey all traffic signs
If you or a loved one is injured in a premise liability case as a result of a slip & fall in a Chicago business or Chicago pedestrian accident, contact Abels & Annes for a free and confidential appointment to discuss your rights. Call (866) 99-ABELS. There is no fee unless you win.