Home Depot is the largest home-improvement retailer in America, with 2,300 stores throughout the 50 states, as well as Puerto Rico, Guam, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Most of us think nothing of stopping by Home Depot after work or during the weekend, and these trips are generally uneventful. But what can you do if a dangerous condition at the store causes you to be injured from an accident? You may have grounds to sue the store for monetary damages, but there are specific procedures you must follow in order to protect your rights. The first step is to file an accident report, but if you haven’t been injured at a store before, you may be asking yourself, “What is the best way to file an incident report with Home Depot?”
In this article, we will go over the process of filing an injury in store report with Home Depot and what you can expect once your claim is received by the insurance company. If you have questions or concerns, please contact our office to speak with one of our attorneys.
Common Accidents on the Premises of a Home Depot
Big box stores like Home Depot are prone to many types of accidents throughout the premises. Customers are especially vulnerable to injuries in retail settings that are set up like warehouses. High shelves, bulk-sized items, power tools, intricate store displays, and stacked lumber are just some of the hazards that can cause harm to people inside the store. The parking lot and outer perimeter of the store can be dangerous as well when there is a lack of security measures, like surveillance cameras and bright lighting.
Accidents that you can suffer at a Home Depot store include:
- Slip and fall
- Trip and fall
- Struck by falling objects
- Injuries in public bathrooms
- Assault and battery, including mugging and robbery on property
- Sexual assault
- Shopping cart injuries
- Parking lot accidents – car collisions, pedestrian hit by car, etc.
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Can I Sue Home Depot for an Accident on their Property?
In order to demand compensation from Home Depot, you must prove that an act of negligence by the company or one of their representatives (an employee, for example) caused or contributed to your accident. Generally, you will need to show that the store was negligent in their duty of care to you as a legitimate visitor on the premise. Let’s say, for example, that you were injured from a collapsing store display. Was the store display too high, thereby making it more likely to fall over? Did the employees stack the items in a way that made the display structurally unsound? These are examples of questions we would ask in order to determine a store’s liability for your accident.
However, liability is not always so easy to figure out, so please consider a free consultation with an attorney at our office. Our law firm has many years of experience in retail accident investigations, and we know what it takes to build a strong case for compensation.
How to File an Accident Claim for an In-Store Injury at Home Depot
To maximize your chances of succeeding in a compensation claim, here are the steps you should take if you’ve been harmed on the premises of a Home Depot store:
- Report the Accident.
Make sure to report your injuries to someone in charge, like a store manager. Never assume that you’re fine after an accident, as injuries like concussions don’t show up right away. By filing an accident report immediately, you will have proof that your injuries were a direct result of an accident on store property. Make sure to get the name of the employee that took your information and request a copy of the report before you leave.
- Avoid making statements that can be used against you.
Stick to the facts when you are asked about the accident and avoid making statements like, “I’m such a clutz,” “I should have been more careful,” or “I’m a little shaken up, but I feel okay.” These are generalizations that can later be used against you by Home Depot’s insurance provider.
- Start gathering evidence.
The best time to gather evidence is right after the accident, so if you can, take photos or video of your injuries and the accident scene. If there are people that witnessed your accident, ask them for written statements or get their contact info. Also, look around and see if there are any security cameras that may have footage of your accident.
- Get medical attention right away.
Don’t refuse medical treatment if it’s offered to you by the store. If you’re in severe pain or have serious injuries, call 911 so that you can be safely transported to the hospital. If no help is offered to you, get to the hospital as fast as you can. Remember – failing to seek medical attention or doing anything to exacerbate your injuries can ruin your chances for a lawsuit. Furthermore, you may end up with permanent health issues if you put off medical treatment even for a few days.
Home Depot Insurance Claim Contact Information
In the event you are unable to file an accident claim at the store, you will need to call Home Depot’s customer service line. The company does not have an injury claims phone number for in store accidents, so you will need to use the general customer service number, which is 1 (800) 466-3337. From there, you should be directed to the correct department, where you can provide the details of your accident and receive information on what you can expect once your claim is processed.
You can also email Home Depot directly, but please be aware that it can take 7 days to get a response from an agent. Since an accident report must be filed as soon as possible, we suggest that you call the 800 number and speak with someone directly. You may be wondering if there is a Home Depot online accident claims form that can be submitted through their website. Unfortunately, this service is not available for in store injury claims. This can be a problem if you’re dealing with severe injuries or have limited English speaking skills, which can make it difficult to communicate with a customer service agent.
The lawyers of Normandie are fluent in many languages, including Spanish, Arabic, Korean, Mandarin / Cantonese, Urdu, Oromo, Croatian, and Serbian. Our legal team can advise you of your rights in your own language and negotiate a fair settlement with Home Depot on your behalf.
What Happens once I Submit my Claim?
Home Depot accident claims are handled by Sedgwick Claims Management, which is a third-party insurance claims processor for some of the world’s biggest corporations. Once your claim is filed with Sedgwick, you will most likely be contacted by an insurance adjuster. This happens very quickly in most cases, as it’s an insurance company’s goal to settle your claim as quickly as possible. To get the job done, they will use all sorts of pressure tactics to get you to settle on their terms. In particular, they will ask you to give a recorded statement, which you should immediately refuse. Instead, tell them that you need to speak with your attorney first. They may continue to call you afterwards in order to pressure you into a settlement. Resist the urge to speak with them and make sure to seek advice from one of our attorneys.
Keep in mind that the initial offer by Sedgwick is unlikely to be anything close to what you’re entitled to. Generally, these companies try to get away with reimbursing you for immediate medical expenses and property damage. But you may be eligible for pain and suffering, future medical expenses, loss of earning potential, and much more.
The other possibility is that your claim will be denied due to reasons that you don’t understand or don’t believe to be legitimate. This happens quite frequently, as it’s another way for these companies to avoid paying claims and keeping themselves profitable. You can attempt to fight a claim denial on your own, but this is a very challenging process when you don’t have extensive knowledge of the law. An experienced store accident injury lawyer can help you assert your rights and recover the maximum payment you are owed.
Average Value of a Home Depot Accident Injury Settlement
Frankly, there’s no universal value that applies to accident injury settlements, as each case has its own set of circumstances. The amount you can demand from Home Depot is determined by the extent of your injuries, the financial and emotional losses you are left with, and the specific acts of negligence that led to your accident. These factors will help us calculate the value of your damages, which may include medical costs, lost income, pain and suffering, emotional distress, property damage, and punitive damages.
An accident claim against Home Depot may be worth around $15,000 to $50,000 on the lower end. For severe injuries that require lifetime care, the value of a claim can easily exceed $1 million. However, a case value is not always dependent on physical injuries, as emotional trauma can also be a significant factor. Sexual assault lawsuits, for example, may be worth $1 million to $7.5 million, based on the psychological injuries that the victim will have to live with for the rest of their lives.
Statute of Limitations to Sue for Your Accident
For most incidents, the deadline to file a lawsuit is two years from the date you were injured. However, the statute of limitations may be longer depending on the circumstances of your accident. For example, adult victims of sexual assault have 10 years from the date of the incident to sue their attacker, as well as any other parties that are responsible for their injuries. Keep in mind that you must file your lawsuit on time, as the courts rarely allow extensions if you exceed the statute of limitations. That’s why it’s essential to reach out to a personal injury attorney as soon as possible.
Average Length of Time to Settle a Lawsuit against Home Depot
As with settlement values, there’s no such thing as an average length of time to reach a settlement on an accident case with Home Depot. At best, we would say that it can take anywhere from a few months to over one year for both sides to agree on a compensation amount. We strive to settle all cases privately with Home Depot’s insurance company, but that may not be possible if they refuse to negotiate in good faith. A lawsuit may need to be filed, which can still be resolved through a settlement. In the event a trial is necessary, it may take over two years to recover the compensation you deserve.
Call us for a Free Second Opinion
If you need a second opinion on an active injury case, don’t hesitate to give us a call. Perhaps you want to verify that a settlement is in your best interest, or what your legal options are if you’re unhappy with your current attorney. We can help you with any issue that’s on your mind, regardless of where you are in the legal process. Best of all, you pay nothing for a second opinion with one of our attorneys, so there’s no loss to you by taking some to speak with us. Contact us today to schedule a free second opinion consultation.
Guidance from a Lawyer Experienced in Retail Liability Cases
No one expects that they will be the victim of an accident or violent act when they head over to their local Home Depot. Sadly, injuries at major retailers are very common, and most of these incidents could have been prevented with basic, reasonable precautions. A store’s failure in their duty of care is unacceptable, and so is the prospect of financial hardship and lifelong complications for the victim. That’s why we fight tirelessly for the compensation our clients deserve, no matter how long it takes.
Our dedication to accident victims goes beyond fighting for their settlement award. We ensure that you never pay upfront for our services under the Zero Fee Guarantee. Simply put, we only get paid if we win your case. If we don’t recover your settlement, you won’t pay for a single penny of our legal fees. In addition, our lawyers are here for you 24/7, meaning someone is available to help you anytime you call.
If you’re ready to discuss your rights and legal options with a Home Depot accident injury lawyer, contact us right away to schedule a free case review.
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