If you slip and fall at a mall in Dallas, seek medical attention right away—even if you feel okay. Report the incident to mall management, take photos of the scene, and collect witness information. These early steps are critical for protecting your health and strengthening any potential personal injury claim. If unsafe conditions caused the fall, you may be entitled to compensation for your medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering.
Why Slip and Falls Happen in Shopping Malls
Shopping malls see heavy foot traffic, especially during weekends and holidays. Property managers and store owners have a legal duty to keep their premises reasonably safe. But accidents still happen due to:
- Wet or recently mopped floors without warning signs
- Torn carpets, uneven tiles, or floor mats that shift
- Spilled drinks or merchandise left in walkways
- Poor lighting in hallways or stairwells
- Escalator or elevator malfunctions
- Ice or puddles near entrances in bad weather
Whether you slipped in a store or a common area, the mall or business may be liable if it failed to correct or warn of a hazardous condition.
What Should You Do Immediately After a Mall Slip and Fall?
How you respond after a fall can have a significant impact on your ability to recover compensation. Take these steps as soon as possible:
- Get medical care – Even if you don’t need an ambulance, visit a doctor the same day. Some injuries (like head trauma or soft tissue damage) take time to show symptoms.
- Report the fall – Notify mall security or store management and request that they complete an incident report. Ask for a copy.
- Take photos – Document the area where you fell, including floor conditions, signage (or lack thereof), and anything that contributed to your fall.
- Get witness info – Names, phone numbers, or emails of people who saw what happened can be extremely helpful later.
- Avoid making statements – Don’t admit fault or speculate. Anything you say may be used against you later.
- Preserve evidence – Save the shoes and clothing you wore in case they become relevant to your case.
- Speak with a personal injury lawyer – The sooner you get legal guidance, the better your chance of protecting your rights.
Who Is Liable for a Slip and Fall at a Mall in Dallas?
In many cases, liability will depend on where and how the fall happened. Possible responsible parties include:
- Mall management companies – For unsafe conditions in shared areas like food courts, entrances, walkways, or escalators.
- Retail stores – For hazards inside a specific store (e.g., spilled product, blocked aisles).
- Cleaning or maintenance crews – If they left a floor wet or failed to inspect dangerous areas.
- Security or third-party vendors – In cases involving crowd control, event setups, or temporary installations.
To have a valid premises liability claim, you must show that:
- A dangerous condition existed
- They knew or should have known about it
- They failed to fix it or warn you
- That failure caused your injury
An attorney can help investigate and determine who’s legally responsible.
What Compensation Can You Get After a Slip and Fall?
If your injuries were caused by negligence, you may be entitled to compensation for:
- Medical bills – ER visits, follow-up appointments, surgery, therapy, and medication
- Lost wages – Time off work during recovery or reduced ability to return to your job
- Pain and suffering – Physical pain, emotional distress, or reduced quality of life
- Out-of-pocket expenses – Transportation, home modifications, or assistive devices
- Long-term disability – For severe injuries that impact your independence or career
Every case is different. An experienced personal injury lawyer can calculate the value of your claim based on your specific injuries and losses.
How Long Do You Have to File a Claim in Texas?
In most slip and fall cases in Texas, you have two years from the date of the incident to file a personal injury lawsuit. But don’t wait.
Important evidence—such as surveillance footage or employee statements—can be lost or deleted within days or weeks. Acting early gives your legal team the best chance to build a strong case.
Can You Sue the Mall Even If You Fell Inside a Store?
Yes, depending on who was responsible for maintaining the area where you fell. If the store had control over the hazard (e.g., a spill or blocked aisle), they may be liable. But if the accident happened in a shared space, the mall itself—or a property management company—may be to blame. A thorough investigation will determine which party (or parties) should be held accountable.
Talk to a Dallas Mall Injury Lawyer Today
If you slipped and fell at a mall in Dallas, don’t assume it was your fault—or that your injuries aren’t severe enough to warrant legal help. Premises liability laws are intended to protect people like you when businesses fail to fix or warn about unsafe conditions.
Contact Rochelle McCullough LLP today for a free consultation. We’re ready to help you seek the compensation you deserve.