Founded for the purpose of bringing salvation to the poor and hungry, the Salvation Army is one of the world’s most recognizable charity organizations. Along with providing disaster relief and other charity services, Salvation Army is known for its thrift stores, which you can find in just about any major city.
Even though these stores raise money for charity, they are still commercial properties at the end of the day. With that in mind, mangers and workers at the store have a duty to provide a safe environment for customers and visitors. But lots of things fall through the cracks at thrift stores, and this is why people are often in accidents at places like the Salvation Army.
If you were injured at a Salvation Army store, it’s essential to learn about your rights and legal options. Contact us today and talk to a Salvation Army accident lawyer during a free consultation.
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Premises Liability Claims on Property
People get hurt in accidents all the time, but why is it that some people are allowed to sue, while others have to accept that it’s case of bad luck? If you were injured at a store, a victim’s right to sue is based on the law of premises liability. Essentially, there is a reasonable standard of care that’s expected of store owners, like making repairs, removing hazardous materials, and providing adequate security throughout the property.
When a store owner or the people that work for them are negligent in their duty of care, it’s only a matter of time before someone is injured. For example, accidents like trip and falls can happen at a Salvation Army location when the floor is cluttered with debris and merchandise. If the workers place heavy items on higher shelves, there is a risk of the shelf collapsing and causing someone to be injured from a falling object.
There are many other causes of accidents that can serve as grounds for a personal injury lawsuit against the Salvation Army. To verify whether you can sue the Salvation Army for an accident, give us a call at your earliest convenience.
Salvation Army’s Liability for Car Accidents
Generally, car accidents are blamed on the driver that chose to engage in negligence or misconduct, so it may seem strange that Salvation Army can be blamed for such incidents. Keep in mind, however, that the Salvation Army has its own fleet or trucks that pick up scheduled donations. Thus, drivers for the Salvation Army can be responsible for accidents like car collisions and injuries to pedestrians.
You also have accidents in store parking lots, and not just from vehicles that are owned by the Salvation Army. Hazards like pot holes, missing signs, and obstructions that create blind spots can also make the organization liable for anyone that’s injured in an accident.
Suing the Salvation Army for Assault and Battery
Essentially, there are two types of assault and battery claims that can be filed against a business owner. The first has to do with lack of security, like broken locks, poor lighting in parking areas, and failure to repair or replace defective security cameras. So, if you were mugged in a Salvation Army parking lot because of security issues, you can seek monetary compensation by filing an assault and battery lawsuit.
The second category of assault cases involves being injured by a store employee. These incidents typically start from arguments that escalate to shoving, punching, and other forms of physical assault. The Salvation Army may be liable for assault and battery by their workers under various circumstances, like ignoring previous complaints against the employee from other customers. Or, maybe the employee has a history of violence and other criminal acts but the organization still allowed them to work at the store, thereby putting the public in danger.
Is Salvation Army Liable for Dog Bites?
Under California law, you would normally sue the owner of the dog that bit you or caused you harm in some other way. So, if you were hurt by a dog that belongs to a customer, you would seek compensation directly from the animal owner. You see this quite often with dogs that are tied to a pole, bike rack, or some other stationary object on the curb while their owner is in the store. Unfortunately, this can put people at risk of being bitten by the dog if the animal gets loose or lashes out at someone nearby.
Another possibility is that the animal was allowed into the store, which is not allowed per the organization’s rules. However, it’s possible that managers or employees at the store permit someone to bring their dog inside. If the dog bites someone while they’re at the store, it’s a fair argument that the store has liability for the victim’s injuries. Thus, they may be sued along with the dog owner for medical expenses, pain and suffering, and other forms of monetary restitution.
How Much Time Do I have to File a Lawsuit?
Most personal injury lawsuits have a deadline of 2 years, so that’s how long you have to file a claim with the Salvation Army, starting from the date of the accident. However, it’s possible that your own circumstances will change the amount of time you have for a lawsuit. For example, if you were a minor when you were injured at the Salvation Army, your deadline for a lawsuit is 2 years following your 18th birthday, as opposed to the accident date.
A thrift store accident injury lawyer can help you figure out how much time you have for a lawsuit and ensure that a claim for damages is filed by the correct deadline.
Contact Normandie Law Firm
Failure to provide safe conditions by a property owner should not go unpunished, and that’s the principle that drives us here at Normandie Law Firm. We know the toll that an unexpected accident takes on your finances, along with many other areas of your life. Our goal is to help you recover your losses and ensure that you can move forward with your life.
Part of our commitment to accident victims is the Zero Fee Guarantee, where clients pay $0 if they choose to hire us for an injury claim. Your settlement demands to the Salvation Army include legal fees, so winning your case is the only way we get paid. So, you have the reassurance of knowing that you owe us nothing if you don’t receive compensation at the end of your lawsuit.
If you are ready to learn more about the process of suing the Salvation Army, contact our law firm and schedule a free case review.
Other Pages on Our Website Related to This Topic
Salvation Army Bed Bug Injury Lawsuit Attorney
Salvation Army Falling Merchandise Lawsuit Attorney