How long does it take to Settle an Accident Claim against Costco?

Have you suffered an injury while on the premises of a Costco warehouse location? Are you a family member of loved one of someone who was injured or passed away from a Costco warehouse accident? If the accident was caused by the store’s negligence, you may be entitled to monetary compensation, such as medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering. At this point, you may have filed an injury claim against Costco, with or without help from an attorney. Or, you may have filed a lawsuit after you and Costco’s insurance company were unable to negotiate a settlement. No matter where you are in your case, you are most likely concerned about the amount of time it will take to settle your accident claim.

We hope that the following information will be helpful to you, but please keep in mind that it’s for general purposes only. If you have questions regarding your own Costco injury case, contact Normandie Law Firm and schedule a free case evaluation.

Accidents at a Costco Warehouse Location

Due to Costco’s vast, warehouse set up, there are countless ways that people can be injured while visiting or shopping at one of these locations. It’s up to the store’s management and staff to keep an eye out for hazards and ensure that they are removed or resolved as soon as possible. Hazards include things that are obvious, like spills on the floor. Additionally, employees must be aware of conditions that can lead to an accident, like over packing shelves, which can cause items to fall and hit someone.

When a Costco store is negligent in their duty of care, guests are at risk of the following accidents:

• Slip and fall accidents
• Trip and fall cases
• Falling merchandise injuries
• Bathroom accidents
• Parking lot accidents
• Assault and battery
• Sexual assault
• Burns from hot liquid / food
• Contaminated food accidents

Costco visitors are especially prone to fall-related accidents, i.e., slip and falls and trip and falls. These cases are responsible for almost 8 million ER visits every year, meaning they can easily result in life-threatening injuries. However, accidents like sexual assault have devastating consequences as well, even if there are no physical injuries. The emotional trauma of an accident should not be underestimated, as they can manifest in debilitating mental health conditions like PTSD. You are entitled to compensation for emotional distress, just as you would be for your physical injuries.

If you’re in need of a Costco slip and fall injury lawyer, contact our law firm without delay. We can also help you go after Costco for falling merchandise, or any other act of negligence that led to your accident. Please give us a call and schedule a time to meet with one of our attorneys.
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How long does it take to Settle an Injury Claim against Costco?

On average, Costco personal injury claims take around 6 months to 2 years to settle. Keep in mind this is an average timeline based on Costco insurance claims and lawsuits in general. Your own case timeline may be shorter, perhaps just 30 days if you have minor injuries. If you have serious injuries, on the other hand, it may take 6 months to a year to settle your injury claim.

If you’re unable to settle with Costco’s insurance company, you will need to file a lawsuit for your economic and emotional damages. In that case, it may take two or more years to settle your case.

Why do Costco personal injury claims take so long to Settle?

It’s possible that you may agree on a settlement with Costco within the first few months of your accident claim. Unfortunately, the process takes a lot longer for many victims, and this is for a number of reasons. The extent of the plaintiff’s injuries is the biggest factor in why it takes so long to settle one of these cases. As a general rule, the greater your injuries and what they take away from your life, the longer it will take to settler you case. This is due to the amount of compensation you’re asking for, as well as Costco’s unwillingness to admit fault for a serious accident.

Injuries from a Costco Warehouse Accident

Let’s talk some more about the injuries that you can sustain at a Costco warehouse. As we’ve mentioned, this is one of the deciding factors in the amount of time you will need to wait before you are compensated by the retailer. As a Costco accident victim, you may be suffering from one or more of the following:

• Skull fracture
• Traumatic brain injury
• Hip fracture
• Cracked ribs
• Dislocated shoulder
• Tailbone fracture
• Torn ACL / MCL
• Dislocated / shattered kneecap
• Ankle sprain or strain
• Broken bones in the hands and feet
• Food poisoning
• Thermal burns
• Deep lacerations
• Scarring / disfigurement
• Dental damage
• Broken nose / facial bones
• Neck injury
• Spinal cord damage
• Paralysis

Keep in mind this is not a comprehensive list of the ways you can be harmed while you’re at a Costco store. It’s essential to speak with a personal injury lawyer, who can take all your injuries into account and fight for the settlement you deserve.

If you’ve lost a loved one or family member to an accident at Costco, you may have filed a claim for wrongful death compensation. These cases also take around 6 months to 2 years to settle, depending on the details of the accident. However, wrongful death claims are incredibly complicated, as they’re based on what someone has lost and will continue to lose as a result of their loved one’s death. Many of these cases proceed to a lawsuit, and a lawyer’s help is essential for recovering the damages you are entitled to. If you need advice regarding your rights and legal options, contact our office and speak to a wrongful death attorney.

Factors that can Prolong Your Costco Injury Case

Aside from the degree of your injuries, there are various elements that can prolong your Costco accident case. Here are a few examples:

• The other side’s unwillingness to admit they are at fault for the accident.
• Disputes over the seriousness of your injuries, particularly emotional trauma like PTSD.
• Lifetime care expenses (future medical treatments, rehabilitative services, etc.).
• If other parties share liability for the accident, including the victim.

Each case is unique, so there may be elements in your case that are not on this list. To ensure that your claim is settled in a timely manner, please take some time to speak with a personal injury lawyer at our firm.

Future Medical Expenses and Loss of Earning Potential in a Costco Settlement

If you are struggling with serious, long-term injuries, future medical care expenses may be a significant portion of your settlement. For example, let’s say you sustained a severe injury, such as disability. You will need medical treatments, therapy, and maybe a caretaker for the rest of your life. You are unable to go back to work and will miss out on many years of wages that you would have earned from your job. These costs can add up to a million dollars or more, so it’s not surprising that your case may be prolonged over future care expenses.

It’s tempting to settle your case as soon as possible, but future medical and rehabilitation costs are extremely important to your long-term care. Additionally, future lost wages will help you avoid financial hardship and make sure that you and your family are taken care of.

Why is Costco’s Insurance Company Stalling on my Payment?

Costco is self-insured, meaning they pay out accident claims on their own instead of paying for coverage with an insurance company. The Costco claims department will process your accident report and send it to a third party administrator named Gallagher Bassett. This company handles the day-to-day tasks associated with an injury claim, such as contacting the victim and negotiating a settlement for injury compensation.

If your case is taking a long time to settle, it’s natural to blame the insurance company or third party administrator. And yes, it’s possible that Gallagher Bassett is using stall tactics to avoid paying you. On the other hand, there may be complex details in your accident that merit further investigation. It’s Costco’s right to make sure that your claim is valid, and unfortunately, this process may take longer than you had anticipated.

Having said that, Costco cannot drag out an investigation without a valid reason. If you believe that Costco’s claims administrator is deliberately holding up your claim, please take some time to speak with one of our bad faith insurance attorneys. We can help you take action against Gallagher Bassett, but you must act quickly to prevent further delays in your claim.

Can I Sue Costco for my Injuries?

Yes, if you are unable to negotiate a fair settlement with the insurance company, you can sue Costco for an accident you suffered on their property. The exact timing of a lawsuit is something you should discuss with an attorney, since most Costco accidents have a 2 year statute of limitations. That means you generally have two years form the accident date to initiate a lawsuit for compensation.

Have you filed a lawsuit already, but you’re frustrated with how long it’s taking to settle your case? What are your rights if you feel like your lawyer isn’t doing enough to recover your payment?

Is there a Way to Settle my Case Faster?

We completely understand the frustration you’re dealing with when it seems like nothing is being done on your case. However, it’s important to look at the situation rationally, which is difficult for most victims as they are unfamiliar with the lawsuit process. Your lawyer should be alleviating your concerns with regular updates and clear answers to your questions. But this is precisely where you may be having problems.

If you’re unhappy with the quality of service you’re attorney is providing, you have the option of finding new representation. But this is a big decision when you have an active lawsuit, so you will need to make sure that you understand the pros and cons of changing attorneys.

Free Second Opinion with the Lawyers of Normandie

If you’re wondering about the possibility of switching your lawyer, our attorneys can assist you with a free second opinion. This is your chance to discuss the actions that have been taken on your case, and verify if your law firm is taking the right steps. We can also advise you of the strategies we will use to resolve your claim. Depending on your situation, we may be able to settle your case in 30 days.

If switching lawyers is the right choice for you, we will take care of the entire transfer process, so you won’t have to worry about firing your lawyer in person. No matter what you decide, you will not be charged for a second opinion, so there’s nothing to lose by speaking with one of our attorneys. To learn more about the actions we can take on your case, please call our office and schedule a free second opinion.  

Speak to a Costco Injury Claims Attorney

Were you or a loved one involved in an accident at a Costco warehouse? Sound legal advice is the best way to resolve your injury claim as soon as possible. The personal injury lawyers of Normandie have many years of experience in retail liability claims involving accidents like slip and falls and falling merchandise. We have the skill and methods for recovering your settlement, thereby ensuring that you can move forward with your life.

When you retain one of our attorneys, you will be offered a Zero fee guarantee, meaning you pay nothing upfront for our services. The only way we get paid is by wining your case, and if we don’t win, you will nog be billed for any of our expenses. If you’re ready to learn more about your rights and legal options, contact our law firm and schedule a free case review.