What Businesses Must Do to Keep Customers Safe – and What Happens When They Don’t

Businesses in Jackson, Mississippi, have a legal and moral obligation to keep their customers and visitors safe. Whether you are shopping at a local retail store, dining at a popular restaurant, or visiting a commercial office, the property owner or manager has a duty to maintain a safe environment. Unfortunately, when this duty is neglected, customers can suffer serious injuries — and victims often face confusion about how to respond.

Understanding the responsibilities of business owners and knowing your rights if you are injured can help protect your health, finances, and legal options.

The Duty of Care in Commercial Premises

Mississippi law recognizes that commercial property owners owe a “duty of care” to those who enter their premises. This means they must take reasonable steps to prevent foreseeable harm. Examples include:

• Keeping floors, walkways, and stairways free of hazards such as spills, debris, or broken tiles
• Maintaining proper lighting inside and outside the building, including parking lots
• Securing heavy or unstable items on shelves to prevent falling hazards
• Repairing or warning of unsafe structural conditions such as loose handrails, cracked floors, or damaged steps
• Implementing appropriate security measures in areas where customers may be vulnerable to crime

Failure to meet these responsibilities can be considered negligence, making a business liable if an injury occurs as a result.

Common Commercial Premises Accidents in Jackson

Slip, trip, and fall injuries are among the most frequent accidents in commercial settings. In Jackson, these incidents can happen anywhere — from wet floors in grocery stores to uneven sidewalks outside local restaurants or retail complexes. Other common accidents include:

• Injuries caused by falling merchandise or poorly stacked displays
• Accidents due to inadequate parking lot maintenance, such as potholes or poor lighting
• Incidents involving broken or poorly maintained escalators, elevators, or stairways
• Injuries resulting from insufficient security or criminal activity on the property

Recent reports of injuries in Jackson businesses highlight the importance of understanding premises liability. For instance, slip and fall incidents at shopping centers or grocery stores often require detailed documentation to hold property owners accountable.

Why Businesses May Be Held Liable

To establish liability in a commercial premises case, it generally must be shown that:

1. The business owed the injured person a duty of care
2. The business failed to uphold that duty
3. The failure directly caused the injury
4. The injury resulted in measurable damages, such as medical bills, lost wages, or pain and suffering

Even if the hazard seems minor, such as a small spill or a loose floor tile, property owners can still be held responsible if the risk was foreseeable and they did not take reasonable steps to address it.

Steps to Protect Yourself After a Commercial Accident

If you are injured on a commercial property in Jackson, it is important to take action immediately:

1. Report the incident to a manager or staff member and request that it be documented.
2. Take photos or videos of the hazard and your injuries.
3. Collect witness information if others saw the incident.
4. Seek medical attention even if injuries appear minor — documentation is crucial.
5. Contact a personal injury attorney before speaking with insurance companies to protect your rights.

Prompt action not only helps preserve evidence but also strengthens your claim if you decide to pursue legal action.

How a Personal Injury Attorney Can Help

A qualified attorney familiar with Jackson commercial premises liability cases can:

• Investigate the accident and gather evidence, such as maintenance records, incident reports, and surveillance footage
• Identify all parties potentially responsible for the injury
• Communicate with insurance companies and negotiate for fair compensation
• Guide you through the legal process, including filing a claim or lawsuit if necessary

Many victims assume the accident was “their fault” and do not pursue a claim, but Mississippi law recognizes that property owners are responsible for preventing foreseeable harm to visitors.

When Negligence Causes Harm, The Diaz Law Firm Stands by You

At The Diaz Law Firm, we have extensive experience handling commercial premises liability cases in Jackson and surrounding areas. We are committed to helping injured clients receive compensation for medical bills, lost income, and pain and suffering.

If you or a loved one has been injured on commercial property due to negligence, don’t wait. Protect your rights and seek professional guidance today.

Call 601-607-3456 or toll-free (800) 459-2222, or contact us online for a free, confidential consultation with one of our experienced personal injury attorneys.