Dangerous Conditions at Shopping Center Leads to Lawsuit
When consumers nationwide, including in Illinois, visit shopping centers, they expect to encounter safe surroundings in which they can relax and enjoy the many wares on offer. Most owners of shopping complexes take proper care of building maintenance and expect their tenants to offer patrons hazard-free premises. Unfortunately, the surrounding areas, such as parking lots, are often not afforded the same attention, leaving patrons exposed to dangerous conditions.
A woman and her husband recently filed a lawsuit against a shopping mall owner and associated parties in another state. According to the complaint, she suffered serious injuries when she was struck by a vehicle in a crosswalk on the outer limits of the parking area. The plaintiff claims that her injuries are of a permanent nature. She asserts that the vehicle struck her after the driver pulled out of a parking spot. The driver was apparently a patron of the shopping mall.
She further contends that the probability of accidents occurring is increased by the layout of the parking lot, including the confusing measures to control pedestrian and vehicular traffic. It is alleged that the defendants failed to take due care to alleviate collisions involving vehicles and pedestrians by allowing the perimeter road to be used as the primary entrance to the shopping center. This, claims the plaintiff, is a breach of duty on the part of the defendants.
The plaintiff and her husband seek monetary relief, along with punitive damages of an undisclosed amount. Anyone in Illinois who has suffered injuries resulting from dangerous conditions on the property of another may benefit from discussing the circumstances with an experienced premises liability attorney. Each case is typically assessed to determine the viability of proceeding to file a claim, and ongoing support is offered throughout the entirety of any legal proceedings that may follow.
Source: wvrecord.com, “Couple sues shopping center, stores for crosswalk injuries“, Kyla Asbury, June 26, 2015