Costco runs a chain of warehouse-style wholesale stores, selling everything from clothes to electronics to food at discount prices. Many people love shopping at Costco, as it’s often easier to stock up all at once than run to the store on a daily basis. To offer such a variety of items, Costco constructs huge warehouses with tall shelves and hires workers that use heavy equipment to stock those shelves. It’s no surprise that people get injured at Costco while shopping. Unfortunately, slip and fall, trip and fall, and even crushing injuries are quite common.
If you were injured because the employees of Costco didn’t do their jobs and keep the store safe, you need to file an injury claim to request compensation for your losses. To improve your chances of recovering the maximum amount possible, seek legal help ASAP! Even more important—you need the RIGHT legal help from someone who knows how to bring claims against Costco and successfully recover financial damages related to your Costco slip and fall claim.
Hint: These big company executives are only focused on the company's bottom line and big dollar signs—for THEM, not for YOU. The Costco claims department includes insurance companies and adjusters that help Costco keep as much money as possible. Once you are injured, the idea of “the customer is always right” goes out the window. After your injury, you become “the enemy.”
At our firm, we know that many people suffer slip and fall accidents and are seriously injured at Costco locations throughout the nation. We have heard many horror stories from clients who tried to handle claims against Costco on their own before they decided to hire us. Remember, if you were injured at a Costco warehouse store, you need a tenacious law firm that knows how to fight and win these claims. Our attorneys have beaten major corporations like Costco at their own game for decades, so call us right now at 1-800-898-4877 or reach out online to discuss your case for free.
In the meantime, here are just a few of the responses you will likely hear when you deal with the Costco claims department...“You’re Fine.”
Right after a fall, you should report that you fell to a Costco store manager as soon as possible. If possible, take photos of whatever caused you to fall—BEFORE store employees have a chance to clean it up or fix any problems. The manager will want to talk to you about whether you’re injured, and all too often, they’ll insist that you “seem fine.”
Never brush off a slip and fall as an embarrassing accident, especially if you feel any pain or discomfort. Just because the manager says you appear fine does NOT mean you aren’t injured. They are a warehouse manager, NOT a doctor. That manager is trying to minimize the situation to position the Costco claims department with an easy way to reduce or deny your claim.
“We’ll Resolve Your Costco Claim, but Only if You Give a Recorded Statement.”
Insurance adjusters will tell you they need a recorded statement about your injury to process your claim, and the statement will help them expedite your payment. DO NOT BELIEVE THEM. These adjusters want a recorded statement for one reason and ONE REASON ONLY: To try to get you to say something that they can use against you later.
They’ll never admit that, though, and they’ll instead tell you that giving a recorded statement will only HELP move things along. Don’t believe them. They’re not looking out for you—they’re looking out for their company, Costco. They don’t have the legal right to a recorded statement at this stage of the game, but too many people give them anyway, which often helps adjusters issue partial or total denials.
“The Fall Was Your Fault.”
The Costco claims department will only pay on a claim if their policyholder—Costco—caused the accident. If they can make the argument that you were injured at Costco because you weren’t watching or you lost your balance, Costco’s insurer will deny your claim. Often, adjusters will try to blame you for the accident when it really resulted from Costco’s negligence. If you admit any liability, the adjuster will reduce or eliminate your settlement offer. Don’t give in when an adjuster tries to make you agree that the fall was your fault. You know better, and so do we.
“Your Injuries Aren’t That Serious.”
Just like a store manager may downplay your injuries right after a slip and fall, an insurance adjuster may try to do the same thing during the claim process. Adjusters may argue that you didn’t need all of the medical treatments you received (so they won’t pay for it) or that you didn’t need to miss as much work as you did (so they won’t reimburse you for lost wages). The truth is insurance adjusters are NOT medical professionals and do not know your personal experience with your injury. You need a skilled personal injury lawyer who can demonstrate and prove the severity of your injuries and losses.
“You Don’t Need a Lawyer.”
This is our favorite sneaky trick that insurance companies try because it is absolutely FALSE. Of course, insurance companies don’t want you to talk to a lawyer! A lawyer knows all the tricks that adjusters use to minimize or deny your claim, and a GOOD lawyer knows how to recognize and overcome these games. In reality, having the right legal representation can maximize your chances of covering your financial losses and can take the stress of dealing with insurance adjusters off your plate.
If You Were Injured at Costco, Discuss Your Accident With a Costco Slip and Fall Lawyer Today!
Timing is important in any slip and fall case. The sooner you partner with a slip and fall lawyer, the sooner the insurance company will know that you mean BUSINESS. We handle every interaction with adjusters once we’re involved, so you can rest easy and concentrate on your physical and emotional recovery. When you work with our experienced legal team, you'll realize that we know how to get the best possible results for you.
The attorneys of Stewart J. Guss, Injury Accident Lawyers, are nationally recognized slip and fall and trip and fall premises liability lawyers who have protected the rights of injured victims for more than 20 years. If you were injured at Costco or in an accident at any other store, call our office right now to schedule a free consultation! Because we take all of our personal injury cases on a contingent fee basis, you will not owe us a DIME unless we win your case. To schedule your case evaluation, call us today at (800) 898-4877 or reach out online now.