Salvation Army Thrift Store Accident Attorney

Since it was founded in the 1860s, the Salvation Army has upheld its mission to help the poor and needy all over the world. Their current efforts include thrift stores bearing the familiar red and white logo. Many people love these stores for the great bargains they can find on used items. For the Salvation Army, it’s a way for them to raise money for the ARC Program, which provides work training, therapy, and spiritual counseling to people with substance abuse issues.

The store’s profits go towards charitable services, but at the end of the day, these are businesses that operate on profits from customers. That’s why owners and employees are required to maintain a standard of safety on the premises at all times. When there is a lapse in the duty of care that is owed to guests and visitors, the business owner may be sued for injuries caused by negligence or misconduct.

Were you injured from an accident while you were at a Salvation Army store? In that case, contact us immediately to learn about your rights during a free consultation.

Premises Liability Claims on Property

The concept of premises liability is at the heart of any personal injury claim, so it’s essential to have an understanding of this legal concept. Essentially, the owner of a property has certain obligations when it comes to the safety of their guests. While they can’t protect their guests from any and all accidents, the key is to minimize the potential for injuries by taking reasonable safety measures.

This may seem like common sense, but we’ve all been in stores that are a mess with chaos and clutter everywhere. Or, you see that there’s a hazard that’s likely to cause an accident, like water dripping from a hole in the ceiling. The point is, failure to maintain reasonably safe condition makes the business liable when someone is injured on the property.

At Salvation Army stores, trip and falls are the most likely source of injury to customers, usually from merchandise falling on the floor and not being picked up by staff members. Employees may also leave stepstools, pallets, boxes, and other items on the floor that people can trip over.

These are examples of how the Salvation Army can breach its duty of care to you at one of their stores. To see if you are eligible for a personal injury claim against the organization, reach out to us and schedules a free case review.

Salvation Army’s Liability for Car Accidents

Generally, car accidents are blamed on the driver that chose to engage in negligence or misconduct, so it may seem strange that the Salvation Army can be blamed for such incidents. Keep in mind, however, that the Salvation Army has its own fleet or trucks that pick up scheduled donations. Thus, drivers for the Salvation Army can be responsible for accidents like car collisions and injuries to pedestrians.

You also have accidents in store parking lots, and not just from vehicles that are owned by the Salvation Army. Hazards like pot holes, missing signs, and obstructions that create blind spots can also make the organization liable for anyone that’s injured in an accident.

Assaulted at a Salvation Army Store

With Salvation Army store assault and battery claims, we need to consider two possibilities: 1) assault incidents caused by inadequate security and 2) assaults committed by store employees.

The first case involves the store’s failure to keep up with security measures, like bright lighting in the parking lot, which is a big contributor to muggings and sexual assaults on store property. Or, there is a failure to inspect and make sure that all they security cameras are working. If there is a lapse in security at a Salvation Army store and you were physically assaulted as a result, our assault and battery lawyers can help you sue the business for your physical and emotional injuries.

Alternatively, you may have been injured by a store employee or volunteer. Perhaps the attack was deliberate, or the other party used physical force to keep you from leaving the store (if you are suspected of shoplifting, for example). These are examples of unlawful conduct, and even though it’s the employee that hurt you, there are circumstances where you can sue the employer, i.e., the Salvation Army. For information on your rights and legal options, please take some time to speak with one of our attorneys.

Can I Sue the Salvation Army for Dog Bites?

Yes, you may have ground to sue the Salvation Army for injuries caused by a dog or another animal that’s on the premises. Keep in mind that as a general rule, these lawsuits against the dog owner, as California is a strict liability state for animal attacks. So, let’s say there was a dog tied to a pole in front of a Salvation Army store. As you walk past the dog, he gets startled and lashes out by biting your ankle. Here, you have a clear situation of a dog bite incident where the owner is liable.

However, the Salvation Army can sometimes share liability for injuries caused by someone’s pet. A common example involves employees and managers that let people bring their dog into the store, even though this is against the Salvation Army’s policies. If there is an incident where the dog hurts someone, the victim may have a case against the Salvation Army and not just the owner of the dog.

Statute of Limitations to Sue the Salvation Army

Typically, premises liability claims on property against the Salvation Army must be filed no later than 2 years of the accident. The courts will sometimes consider a special circumstance in order to extend the deadline for a lawsuit. However, it’s very difficult to obtain additional time for an accident claim, so you should plan on sticking by the 2-year deadline. You should also contact our law firm right away to confirm the exact amount of time that’s left for a lawsuit against the Salvation Army. Our legal team is available 24/7, so please don’t hesitate to give us a call.

Contact Kenmore Law Group

A property owner’s failure to safeguard others from harm is a violation of the state’s premises liability laws. This is why victims have the right to sue the negligent party for monetary damages, which is necessary to cover medical bills and other expenses resulting from an accident.

The Salvation Army accident lawyers of Kenmore are here to assist you, whether you were injured from a fall or physical assault due to inadequate security. In addition, we are prepared to represent you for $0 and wait for all legal expenses to be paid by the Salvation Army. That only happens if we bring you compensation through a settlement or jury verdict, so if we don’t win your case, you owe us $0.

To take advantage of the Zero Fee Guarantee, contact our law firm to receive a free case evaluation. We look forward to fighting for your rights and the compensation you deserve by law.