Running a store requires a lot of management. You have to make sales, re-stock and keep on top of industry trends. However, you also must keep customers coming in to shop. That means creating a safe environment for them to patronize. Multiple injury and safety risks exist in retail outlets. What are some of these? What can you do to prevent them?
For accidents you cannot prevent, a general liability insurance policy might provide recourse. However, preventing customer harm should come first. It will help keep your risks as a business and an insurance customer low.
Frequent Injury Risks in Stores
If you run a retail business, you might sell clothes, groceries or any number of sundry goods. The environment in which you have your business needs to be safe for customers.
By failing create a safe shopping experience, any number of accidents might occur. When they do, your customers might get hurt. Injury risks might include:
- Fall risks from puddles, clutter or uneven surfaces throughout the business.
- Head injury risks from hanging or falling objects.
- Injuries from harmful substances in the business environment. Threats might arise from spilled solvents, the presence of gasses and more.
- Allergic reactions from food or toiletries produced in the business.
- Shopping-cart and machine injury risks.
Any of these accidents might cause significant, even life-altering injuries for those affected. Thus, they might hold your business responsible for the losses. They might even sue the company, and you might have to respond. Given that such results could ruin a business, you have to be ready to react in case an accident happens. Liability insurance might kick in at this time.
Getting General Liability Insurance
If an injured client takes action against the business, your response might depend on your commercial liability insurance. By carrying coverage, you can often reduce the personal losses the business will face following an injury claim by a customer.
This coverage might compensate customers for the harm you cause them. Usually, liability policies cover bodily injuries, property damage and personal/advertising injuries. They’ll also often help you cover any legal fees and settlements related to the case as well. The business will thus often avoid many ramifications that might follow such a claim. In other words, you won’t run the risk of ruining your own finances by trying to compensate an injured party.
Talk to our insurance agents at 708.423.2350 about the benefits of general liability insurance today. Coverage will often help you reduce the risks customer injuries cause your business.