Pet Supplies Plus is a specialty pet food and supplies retailer, similar to PetSmart and PetCo. Currently the company has over 560 locations in 36 states, including California. These stores are a great place to find everything you need for your pet. Unfortunately, they can also be the scene of serious accidents, such as:
- Trip and fall
- Slip and fall
- Falling objects
- Assault and battery
- In store dog bites and animal attacks
- Parking lot dog bites and accidents
If you were the victim of any of these accidents at a Pet Supplies Plus location, you may be entitled to monetary damages from the store, or from the owner of the animal that harmed you. To determine the right legal strategy for your case, contact Normandie Law Firm to schedule a free case review.
Injuries you can Sustain at Pet Supplies Plus
An accident at a major retailer can leave you with serious injuries, which may cause you to suffer lifelong complications. The potential for an accident is particularly high at pet supply stores, due to the number of dogs, cats, and other animals that are on the property. Combined with hazardous conditions that can come from inadequate cleaning, inspections, and maintenance, visitors can end up with:
- Concussion
- Traumatic brain injury
- Hip fracture
- Knee injury (fractured kneecap, torn ligaments / tendons)
- Puncture wounds and cuts
- Scarring and disfigurement
- Whiplash
- Spinal cord damage
- Loss of function (nerve damage)
- Changes in vision, smell, and/or taste
- Dental damage (missing or broken teeth)
- Coccyx fracture, aka broken tailbone
- Mental health effects – panic attacks, insomnia, anxiety, etc.
Make sure to file an accident report with the store manager so that you have proof that you were harmed at the store. Furthermore, see a doctor right away to treat your injuries and lay the groundwork for an insurance claim with Pet Supplies Plus. After you’ve been treated, call us here at our office to learn about your rights and legal options.
Suing Pet Supplies Plus for your Accident
Under California’s law of premises liability, property and business owners are generally responsible for any accidents that occur on their property. To succeed in a case against the Pet Supplies Plus, you must prove one of following elements:
- The owner of the property or one of their agents (an employee, for example) created a hazardous situation or acted in a manner that caused you to be injured at the store.
- You were harmed by a dangerous condition that should have been repaired or removed from the premises.
The first condition generally applies to careless conduct by employees, like spilling things on the floor and not cleaning it up or dropping an item while they were stocking the shelves, which falls on top of a customer. However, the majority of in store accidents are due to conditions that the owner and staff would have been aware of had they taken the proper precautions. For example, slip and fall accidents in outdoor areas are very common when the weather is cold. It’s the store’s responsibility to inspect every area, including the parking lot, sidewalks, and rear sections of the building and clear away any snow or ice that can cause sometime to fall. Otherwise, they are legally liable if someone has a slip and fall or trip and fall.
Your own accident may involve more complicated circumstances, so please don’t wait to seek legal advice from an experienced accident injury attorney.
Your Right to Sue for a Dog Bite Incident
Retailers that specialize in pet supplies generally allow customers to bring in leashed pets, especially dogs. Pet Supplies Plus also has a grooming shop for dogs and cats, so basically, there are a variety of animals on the premises at all times. Unfortunately, bite injuries are quite common at these places, along with accidents from animals jumping on people and knocking them down. If you’ve been the victim of an overexcited or aggressive animal, you may be asking yourself, “Who can I sue if I was injured at Pet Supplies Plus by someone else’s pet?”
As a general rule, pet owners are responsible for any injuries that are caused by their pet, regardless of the circumstances that caused their pet to lash out. In short, you would sue the owner for your injuries under the state’s strict liability laws, with the following exceptions:
- The animal was defending itself or its owner from an attack.
- You were bitten by a dog that you are being paid to take care of (groomers, veterinarians, kennel employees, etc.)
- You were bitten or attacked by your employer’s pet while you were performing your work duties. As you sustained a workplace injury, you would seek benefits through a workers’ compensation claim.
It’s essential to prove beyond a shadow of a doubt that none of these conditions applies to your dog bite incident. To gather the necessary evidence and initiate the claims process, please speak with a dog bite in store accident attorney at our law firm.
Free Second Opinion
Finding the right lawyer can be difficult, and if you’re stuck with an attorney that you’re not happy with, it’s hard to know how you should proceed. Switching your lawyer is your legal right, regardless of where you are in the claims process. Still, you will need to make an informed decision, which is something we can assist you with. A second opinion is a free consultation with one of our accident injury lawyers, who will take the time to answer all your questions and concerns. Once you have the facts, you can decide on the right course of action based on your comfort level. No matter what, you can take advantage of a second opinion without spending a penny, so don’t hesitate to give us a call.
How much can I Receive from a Pet Supplies Plus Injury Case?
How much you are entitled to from a lawsuit is based primarily on the details of your accident and the severity of your injuries. These factors will determine the damages you are entitled to, which may include:
- Cost of medical treatments
- Lost wages / benefits from missed time at work
- Pain and suffering
- Mental anguish
- Property damage
- Legal fees
- Punitive damages
Based on the totality of your losses, your injury case may be worth anywhere from $15,000 to over $2 million. As there are so many issues that need to be examined before we can approximate your case value, please consider a free case review with one of our attorneys.
How long will it take to Settle my Lawsuit?
We know how anxious you are to settle your case and move forward from your accident. The truth is, there’s no way to predict how long the settlement process will take. Sometimes, the store is willing to work out a fair amount of damages and make things rights within a month or two. However, negotiating an adequate payment usually takes longer for moderate to serious injury claims. Depending on how the injuries have affected your health, your earning capacity, and many others areas of your life, the negotiation process with the insurance company can take over a year. In the event a lawsuit becomes necessary, it may take 2 or more years to recover your settlement.
Is there a Deadline to File my Lawsuit?
Yes, the California court system imposes what is known as a statute of limitations for all lawsuits. This means that you have a limited amount of time to seek damages from a party that has injured you. For most accidents, the deadline to sue for monetary compensation is two years from the date you were injured. However, there are cases where you may have more or less time to file a lawsuit, so it’s best to confirm the correct SOL with a personal injury attorney. Getting this right is essential, as the courts are very strict when it comes to filing deadlines for a lawsuit. If you wait too long to bring a legal action against Pet Supplies Plus, it’s more than likely that your claim will be rejected.
Speak to a California Accident Injury Attorney
No much how much you prepare for the worst, there’s no denying the impact of an unexpected injury. The costs of recovering from an accident can be devastating for most victims and their loved ones, which is why it’s essential to learn about your legal options from an experienced attorney.
Our lawyers are here to fight for you and the compensation you deserve if you were harmed due to another party’s careless or reckless actions. We believe that all victims deserve free legal services, which is why we offer a Zero fee guarantee. We don’t get paid until the end of your case, meaning we don’t make a penny unless we recover your payment. Otherwise, you won’t be responsible for any of our expenses.
For a free consultation with a Pet Supplies Plus store accident injury lawyer, please reach out to us at our office.
Other Pages on Our Website Related to This Topic
Pet Hospital Incidents
Rescue Shelter Personal Injury Accident Lawyer
Animal Shelter Accident Lawyers
The Possible Aftermath of Dog Bites
