Is a Store Liable for a Customer Injury in Oregon?

Shopping should be a routine, low-risk activity. But when a visit to the store results in a slip, trip, or other serious accident, it raises a critical question: is a store liable for a customer injury in Oregon?

At Hess Injury Law, we regularly work with individuals who were hurt in retail stores, supermarkets, or shopping centers across Oregon. If you or a loved one has suffered an injury while shopping, understanding your rights and how store liability works is key to protecting your health and your future.

Understanding Premises Liability in Oregon

Oregon law places a legal obligation—known as premises liability—on property owners and businesses to maintain safe environments for visitors. This duty applies to store owners and managers who invite the public onto their premises for commercial purposes.

• Whether the store owner or employees knew (or should have known) about a hazardous condition
  
• Whether reasonable steps were taken to correct or warn about the danger
  
  

Liability isn’t automatic, but stores are responsible for addressing hazards in a timely manner and preventing foreseeable harm.

Common Causes of Store Injuries

Retail stores are full of potential hazards, especially when safety procedures are ignored or overlooked. Some of the most common incidents that may lead to customer injuries include:

• Wet or slippery floors with no warning signs
  
• Poor lighting that makes hazards hard to see
  
• Falling merchandise from improperly stocked shelves
  
• Uneven or broken flooring in aisles or entryways
  
• Electrical cords stretched across walkways
  
• Negligent security, leading to assaults or unsafe conditions
  

In each of these situations, you may rightfully ask: is a store liable for a customer injury caused by these preventable dangers? Often, the answer is yes—if the store failed to act reasonably to prevent the risk.

What Must Be Proven to Hold a Store Liable?

1. The store owed you a duty of care (which it does for all customers).
   
2. The store breached that duty by failing to maintain safe conditions.
   
3. This breach directly caused your injury.
   
4. You suffered actual damages (medical bills, pain, lost wages, etc.).
   

Asking “is a store liable for a customer injury” comes down to proving negligence, meaning the store did not take reasonable steps to protect you from harm.

What to Do After a Store Injury

If you’re injured in a store, taking the right steps can help preserve your right to compensation:

1. Report the injury to store management immediately. Ask for a written report.
   
2. Document the scene with photos or videos of the hazard and surrounding area.
   
3. Get medical attention as soon as possible. Keep all medical records.
   
4. Collect witness contact information if anyone saw the incident.
   

Contact a personal injury attorney to understand your rights and legal options.

The faster you act, the stronger your case will be when it comes to proving a store is liable for a customer injury in Oregon.

Can a Store Blame the Customer?

Sometimes, stores argue that the customer was partially or fully at fault. For example, they might claim:

• You weren’t paying attention
  
• You ignored posted warning signs
  
• The hazard was “open and obvious”
  

Oregon uses a modified comparative negligence system. In other words, if you share some of the blame, the amount of compensation you receive may be decreased accordingly. However, if you were more than 50% at fault, you may be barred from recovering damages entirely.

That’s why it’s important to gather clear evidence showing the store’s role in causing the injury.

Types of Compensation You May Be Entitled To

If a store is found liable, you may be eligible to receive compensation for:

• Medical expenses (including future treatment)
  
• Lost income and reduced earning capacity
  
• Pain and suffering
  
• Emotional distress
  
• Permanent disability or disfigurement
  
• Out-of-pocket expenses related to the injury
  

Just like legal tools used in estate planning for special needs child cases help protect long-term financial well-being, personal injury compensation aims to secure your recovery after an unexpected injury.

How Long Do You Have to File a Claim?

In Oregon, the statute of limitations for filing a personal injury claim is typically two years from the date of the accident. Failing to act within the given timeframe could result in losing your ability to pursue compensation, no matter how compelling your claim may be.

Acting quickly also helps ensure that evidence is preserved and witnesses are easier to contact.

If a store failed to fix a hazard, ignored dangerous conditions, or didn’t take reasonable steps to keep you safe, the answer may be yes. But proving liability requires documentation, legal knowledge, and timely action.

At Hess Injury Law, we’re committed to helping injury victims hold negligent businesses accountable. If you were hurt in a store due to unsafe conditions, reach out for a free consultation. We’ll walk you through your options and fight for the compensation you deserve.