Costco Wholesale Corporation, simply known as Costco, is a multinational chain of warehouse membership stores that sells a wide variety of items, including gourmet foods, electronics, health and beauty items, jewelry, and home décor. Currently, California ranks number 1 as the state with the most Costco locations – 133 in fact, which is about 23% of all Costco outlets in the U.S.
As one of California’s most popular retailers, Costco owes it to their customers to ensure that their property is free of hazardous conditions. They must also take all reasonable measures in the hiring and training of their employees, such as cashiers, shelf stockers, food court workers, and security guards. If the store is negligent in their duties, people can end up with injuries from one of the following accidents:
- Slip and fall
- Trip and fall
- Falling objects (from shelves, walls, ceilings, store displays etc.)
- Shopping cart accidents (usually from careless conduct by store employees)
- Injuries in a Costco bathroom
- Accidents in the parking lot
- Assault and battery
- Sexual assault
- Food court accidents (burns, broken chair and table injuries)
If you or someone you know was harmed on the premises of a Costco warehouse store, there are many questions you need answers to, including “What is the average value of a Costco injury case?” This article will provide you with an overview of possible settlement values, along with related information that will help you understand the legal process. However, we can only offer general information, so please contact our office to discuss your case with a Costco accident injury lawyer.
Our Recent Verdicts and Settlements
$2.5 Million
$1.1 Million
$1.5 Million
$600,000
$525,000
$734,851
Factors that Impact Your Settlement Value
The amount of payment that you can ask for as an injury victim is based on many factors, which are specific to you and the events surrounding your accident. Once we have a chance to speak with you in person, we can go over all the issues that we will need to examine in order to derive an approximate case value. For now, here are some examples of the elements that factor into the valuation of a Costco accident case:
- The severity of your injuries.
- The cost of treating your injuries, which may include future / lifetime medical care.
- Your role in the accident, i.e., if you are partially to blame.
- Your level of pain and suffering as a result of the accident.
- The total amount of economic and non-economic damages you are eligible to receive (such as medical expenses, lost wages, property damage, pain and suffering, and punitive damages).
- If your accident was caused by gross negligence, meaning that the defendant’s actions were especially harmful / outrageous.
Injuries from an Accident at Costco
In the previous section, we went over the various factors that play a role in the calculation of a Costco injury settlement award. Of all these elements, your injuries are the most critical factor, as they will determine your current and long-term losses. Possible injuries from an accident at Costco include:
- Deep lacerations
- Soft tissue injuries
- Facial injuries (broken nose, eye damage, dislocated jaw, etc.)
- Concussion
- Traumatic brain injury
- Hip fracture / broken pelvis
- Whiplash
- Sprains in the hands, wrists, and ankles
- Damage to the spinal cord
- Knee injury – dislocated kneecap, torn ACL / MCL
- Internal bleeding
- Dislocated / fractured shoulder
- Nerve damage
- Disfigurement (permanent scars, for example)
- Permanent disability
- Chronic pain
- Psychological injuries – sleep disorders, anxiety, flashbacks, depression, and post-traumatic stress
Average Value of Costco Injury Cases
It’s understandable when clients come to us with questions about the usual settlement payout for victims that were injured at a Costco Wholesale store. However, each client’s case involves unique circumstances that will determine the total amount of payment they are entitled to. But there’s no denying that major retailers like Costco have a heightened duty of care to the customers they serve, and as a result, these tend to be high value cases.
A Costco slip and fall or trip fall claim may be worth around $250,000 to over $2 million based on the degree of physical injury and psychological damage. For a falling object injury, we would say $175,000 to $2.75 million is a good range to keep in mind. An assault and battery case, on the other hand (beaten up by a store employee, for example), can bring in around $100,000 to $3 million on average. As you can see, the figures vary depending on the type of accident, so it’s essential to discuss your case with a personal injury lawyer as soon as possible. We provide free consultations just for this purpose, so don’t hesitate to give us a call if you are interested in finding out the value of your Costco accident injury case.
How Long Does it Take to Settle an Injury Claim against Costco?
The amount of time it will take to resolve your case depends on a variety of factors, including the complexity of your accident and Costco’s willingness to negotiate in good faith. There have been cases where a settlement was achieved in just 30 days, but 6 to 8 months is a more realistic timeline when you are seeking compensation from a major retailer. If we are unable to negotiate a fair settlement with Costco’s insurance company, we can file a lawsuit on your behalf. This opens up the possibility of going to trial, though it’s worth noting that around 95% of these cases are settled without court intervention. But the process of recovering your payment can take 2 or more years, based on the legal actions we will need to undertake.
How Much Time Do I Have to File my Lawsuit?
Most personal injury lawsuits must be filed within 2 years from the date of injury, which is normally the date on which you had your accident. Some cases, like sexual assault, have a longer statute of limitations, which you can discuss with one of our attorneys. However, the 2-year window is a good span of time to keep in mind if you plan on seeking compensation from Costco. Please take a moment to contact us and schedule a free case evaluation with one of our attorneys. It’s important to take immediate action on your case and ensure that the necessary paperwork is filed in a timely manner. Otherwise, you may end up exceeding the statute of limitations and losing the right to sue Costco for your injuries.
Second Opinion Consultation
Could you use guidance from another attorney on an existing Costco accident claim? That’s exactly what we can offer you during a free second opinion consultation. We can provide clarification on the laws and bring attention to any issues that may have a negative impact on your case. Then, we will make recommendations that can help you achieve a favorable outcome. However, there is no pressure to take any action by coming in to see us, as our main goal is to educate you on your legal options. To schedule a free second opinion, simply give us a call at your earliest convenience.
Legal Advice from a Costco Accident Injury Attorney
Business owners are bound by the laws of premises liability to ensure that their property is safe for all guests and visitors. As someone that was injured by an act of negligence at a Costco location, it’s essential to learn about your rights and fight for the compensation you deserve. Of course, that’s easier said than done when Costco has an experienced legal team at their disposal.
Our premises liability lawyers have decades of experience in the recovery of personal injury settlements. We are more than ready to represent you and bring you maximum payment, no matter what type of accident you’ve suffered. Along with our experience and dedication to your case, we provide all clients with free legal services. Under the Zero Fee Guarantee, our lawyers work on contingency and wait until the end of your case to receive payment. That means we only get paid by recovering your settlement; if we don’t win your case, you owe us absolutely nothing.
For a free consultation on your rights and legal options, contact Normandie Law Firm to speak with an experienced accident injury lawyer.
Other Pages on Our Website Related to This Topic
How long does it take to Settle an Accident Claim against Costco
How to Handle a Low Settlement Offer from Costco
How Long Does It take to Settle an Injury Case Against Costco
