Most people nowadays enjoy books through e-readers and audio book apps, but the allure of a hardcover or paperback edition hasn’t gone away altogether. That’s why bookstores like Barnes and Noble stay busy all year long. Of course, B & N sells much more than books – DVDs, toys, games, and collectibles are just some of the items you can find at these places. Customers can also head to the Starbucks café to enjoy a beverage or snack.
The fact is, Barnes & Noble offers a well-rounded experience that goes far beyond reading a book. However, slipping or tripping on something is an experience that most people never think about. Sadly, these incidents are quite common at Barnes & Noble, and they can result in serious injuries.
Have you been injured from a slip and fall or trip and fall accident at Barnes and Noble? Did your family member or spouse pass away from a fall-related accident at a B & N location? Without a doubt, you are wondering about your rights and have many questions you need answers to, such as:
- Can I sue Barnes and Noble if I was injured on their property?
- How much can I recover from a slip and fall or trip and fall injury claim?
- How long do these cases take to settle?
- What is the statute of limitations for a lawsuit against Barnes & Noble?
We will guide you through the legal process and bring you the payment you deserve from a slip and fall or trip and lawsuit. Contact us right away to schedule a free case review.
Causes of Slip and Fall / Trip and Fall Accidents at Barnes & Noble
Barnes & Noble stores are quite large, and some of them take up multiple floors in one building. They also contain a Starbucks café, which is an extremely busy and popular section of the premises. All in all, there are plenty of hazards inside and outside the property that can cause you to fall. Here is a list of the most common causes of slip and fall / trip and fall accidents at Barnes and Noble:
- Spilled coffee, tea, and other drinks
- Items on the floor (books, toys, DVDs, games, etc.)
- Water leaks from sinks, pipes, and appliances
- Bathroom floor hazards (puddles, soap, paper towels)
- No warning signs on wet floors
- Store displays with protruding edges
- Not enough space between aisles and displays
- Loose wires and cords
- Dropped or falling holiday decorations
- Parking lot hazards (snow, ice, exposed rebar, missing pieces of concrete)
- Missing or broken handrails
- Worn areas on carpets / tiles
- Misleveled floors (often due to missing tiles / floorboards)
- Boxes or stacks of merchandise left out in high traffic areas
- Poorly designed anti-slip mats
- Step ladders / stools in the way of customer traffic
- Sticky or slippery floors (improper cleaning methods)
- Lack of bright lighting
Most people are familiar with how busy and chaotic things are inside a Barnes & Noble. But store owners owe guests and visitors a duty of care, no matter how busy they are. Thus, if you slipped on or tripped over something due to a hazard that should have been addressed, you have the right to seek compensation for your injuries.
Our Recent Verdicts and Settlements
$2.5 Million
$1.1 Million
$1.5 Million
$600,000
$525,000
$734,851
Potential Injuries from a Fall-related Accident
Falling down is something that happens often enough throughout your life, which may lead you to think that these accidents are not that serious. But slipping or tripping at a store like Barnes & Noble can have serious consequences on your physical and mental well-being. For example, over 8 million people end up in the ER every year due to an unexpected fall. Furthermore, 800,000 people are hospitalized due to the severity of their injuries, which include, but are not limited to:
- Hip fracture
- Damage to the neck or spinal cord
- Skull fracture
- Traumatic brain injury (TBI)
- Broken shoulder or collarbone
- Tailbone fracture
- Damage to the internal organs
- Deep lacerations
- Infections (from cuts or puncture wounds)
- Kneecap dislocation or fracture
- Torn ACL / MCL
- Nerve damage / loss of function
- Permanent scarring
- Coma
- Death
People tend to underestimate their injuries and put off going to a doctor. Based on our many years of experience in personal injury law, we urge you to seek medical treatment right away. For one thing, your injury may get worse in just a matter of days. At that point, you may have serious complications that you will have to deal with for the rest of your life. Then, you have to think about your legal rights, which may include an accident claim against Barnes and Noble. You must have a medical record for this purpose, ideally, one that begins from the date of your accident. Along with medical treatment, please seek guidance from a personal injury attorney at our law firm.
Can I Sue Barnes & Noble for my Injuries?
Yes, if negligence by the owner or their employee caused you to suffer an accident on store property, you have the right to seek monetary damages for your harm and suffering. While there may be other parties that are liable for your injuries, the law of premises liability generally holds property owners responsible for accidents on their premises. But as we just mentioned, you would have to prove a case of negligence, meaning that Barnes and Noble (or people acting on their behalf) failed to take reasonable care that would have prevented your accident. Thus, they are liable for the financial and emotional losses you’ve suffered as a result of your injuries.
These elements are difficult to prove, so it’s in your best to retain an attorney that’s experienced in personal injury claims against major retailers. Most claimants start the process with confidence, but quickly discover that the defendant’s insurance provider is not on their side. These companies use a variety of tactics to mislead victims of their rights and trick them into a low settlement offer. Our lawyers will protect you from their games and ensure that you receive a fair and just settlement.
What can I Receive in a Lawsuit against Barnes and Noble?
Though your settlement is paid out in a lump sum, it’s actually made up of various damages that are meant to compensate you for your losses. Damages in a lawsuit vary somewhat from client to client, but they typically include:
- Cost of treating the initial injury
- Expenses for on-going medical care (usually for serious injuries)
- Pain and suffering
- Lost wages (missed time at work, lost PTO)
- Emotional distress (mental health issues like PTSD)
- Property damage
- Legal fees
Some of our clients are the loved ones of deceased victims that passed away from a slip and fall or trip and fall accident. If the accident was caused by misconduct or negligence, we can initiate a wrongful death lawsuit in order to recover:
- Funeral / burial costs
- Medical expenses up until the date of death
- Lost income that the decedent would have earned
- Lost benefits, like retirement savings and healthcare
- Pain and suffering
- Loss of consortium
- Attorney’s fees
Each of these damages has a specific value, which we combine in order to determine your overall settlement award. That brings us to an important question: What is the average case value of a fall-related accident claim against Barnes and Noble?
Case Values for Slip and Fall or Trip and Fall Accidents
The value of a fall-related accident claim depends on many factors that are specific to the client’s injuries. For minor injury claims, a settlement value may be around $25,000 to $50,000 on average, though it can certainly be lower or higher. But if the damage is more serious, meaning the victims requires some form of long-term care (hospitalization, surgery, physical therapy, etc.), case values can jump to around $150,000 to $500,000. For the most serious injuries, like paralysis and traumatic brain injury, a slip and fall or trip and fall lawsuit can easily exceed the $1 million mark. These are the most valuable cases, along with wrongful death claims, where compensation awards of several million dollars is not unusual.
While looking up previous verdicts and settlements can be helpful, you should never assume what your case is worth based on those numbers. We also urge you to exercise caution when using settlement calculators from online sources. These will give you a general sense of what you can recover, but there are specific circumstances that online tools cannot address. A free consultation with one of our lawyers is the best way to determine the approximate value of your claim.
Case Settlement Timelines
“How long will it take to settle my case?” is a question that usually comes up during consultations with injury victims. We know how important it is to recover your funds when you’re struggling from a slip and fall or trip and fall accident. With that in mind, our goal is to settle an injury claim within the first 6 to 8 months of submitting the demand package. Sometimes, things go smoothly and we can achieve a settlement in just 30 days to a few months. However, there are many unexpected complications that can come up, which may add weeks or months to the legal process. That’s why some accident claims take 12 months to a year and a half to resolve. In situations where a lawsuit becomes necessary, the case resolution process can be two or more years, depending on whether a case goes to trial or is settled before then through mediation.
How long do I have to Sue Barnes and Noble?
Knowing the statute of limitations for your case is essential, as the courts are very strict about the amount of time you have to pursue a compensation claim. If you miss the deadline to file a lawsuit, it’s more than likely that you will lose the right to sue altogether. So, what is the statute of limitations for a slip and fall or trip and fall injury claim in California? Generally, you have two years from the date of your accident, or two years from the date of your loved one’s death. There are a few exceptions to this rule, which our attorneys can explain to you. Regardless of your circumstances, please contact us to learn about your rights and take action on a claim as soon as possible.
Free Second Opinion
Are you in need of a second opinion on an existing Barnes & Noble injury claim? Many people come to us for this reason, which can give them peace of mind if they’re worried about their case. Others find that their claim is on the wrong track due to their lawyer’s incompetence or lack of experience. Switching your lawyer may be the best option, but you should understand how this process works before making a final decision. Our lawyers are happy to provide this service at absolutely no cost to you. Just give us a call to schedule a free second opinion.
Zero Fee Guarantee
Here at Normandie, we’ve spent decades fighting for injury victims and their family members. We’ve developed a finely tuned system of winning these cases and recovering the compensation you deserve. Best of all, you won’t be charged for a single penny of our expenses under the Zero fee guarantee. Our lawyers work on contingency, which means we ask for our legal fees from Barnes &Noble. As a result, we don’t get paid unless you do, and if we don’t win your case, you owe us nothing.
Our law firm is here for you 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Don’t hesitate to call us for a free consultation on your rights and legal options.
Other Pages on Our Website Related to This Topic
Marshalls Store Accident Injury Attorney
Display at a Store Injury Lawyer
Falling Store Display Injury Lawyer
