Miami Personal Injury Attorney Blog
When it comes to home improvement and contractor supplies, the first name that comes to mind is the Home Depot. This company has dominated the market of home improvement superstores for nearly 30 years now and currently has over 2,200 locations across North America. In order to stay at the top of the market for so long, a company must make many business decisions to keep up with the times and consumer needs.
Home Depot Financials
Home Depot was founded in 1978 with its first locations being in the metro Atlanta area of Georgia. The company went public in 1981 and shortly thereafter, they began their venture outside of Georgia by opening 2 more locations in South Florida. Over the course of the next 8 years, Home Depot would increase its foothold on the home improvement market by opening more locations through acquisitions and conversions of smaller named companies in different regions of the country. By 1989 Home Depot had beat out Lowes as the largest home improvement superstore chain.
Although they climbed their way to the top, they were not doing well financially and needed to begin limiting their store openings. In order to maintain sales and financial success, they needed to provide more product and services for consumers to consider Home Depot as a one stop shop. They managed to maintain successful business ventures in purchasing smaller specialized companies that would lead to Home Depot’s broad ranger of services such as Maintenance Warehouse in San Diego, California and Apex Supply in Atlanta, Georgia. The Maintenance Warehouse specialized in the repair and maintenance of operation supplies, while Apex Supply was a wholesaler of plumbing supplies. Strategic maneuvers of this sort are what has helped the Home Depot remain at the top of the business for consumers.
When the housing market took a downturn in 2008, Home Depot felt the resulting recession effects and were forced to lay off several thousand workers and close a little over 50 stores nationwide. Many businesses were greatly affected during that period, but Home Depot managed to navigate through the harder times due to their reputation and scope of business. Although construction projects were scaled back and the housing market crashed, there were still projects to complete and the store that had the essential supplies was still the Home Depot.
With a current status of over 2,200 locations across North America, the company serves a very large amount of clientele. Whether you are a plumber, carpenter, electrician, contractor, landscaper or just like to do it yourself, the Home Depot strives to ensure it has the supplies that you would need. Most everyone has been to one of these superstores at one time or another. The stores have the same layout regardless of the region you live, with nearly 3 story shelving containing the plethora of product for every type of job. As much of an experience it can be to shop at these superstores, that experience could potentially be a hazardous one.
Home Depot Accidents
Each aisle and department of the store is stacked finely from top to bottom with supplies for consumers. Depending on the isle, you may find endless amounts of lumber or enough paint to cover the entire store. With the many supplies that are large and small, the store must maintain a great sense orderliness to ensure a proper and safe shopping experience for customers. This is not limited to the consumer, as the employees of Home Depot are also susceptible, if not more, to the dangers of their daily jobs.
Day to day operations at a Home Depot store will include the use of pallet jacks, forklifts and other heavy machinery to stock and remove products throughout the day. As safe as anyone can be, accidents are bound to happen. The type of product involved in the accident could be an object as small as a box of nails, or a ten-foot piece of plywood. Falling objects of that nature can cause serious injuries to customers and employees alike.
The lumber department even allows for customers to cut their own wood with handsaws that are readily available. This type of self service provides many hazards such as slip and falls from saw dust on the ground, or even a customer seriously cutting themselves while attempting to saw the wood to their desired length. It is occurrences such as these and many others that put consumers and employees at risk each time when they enter the store. Even a store with the best safety protocol and personnel, must understand the magnitude of the potential accidents that could occur.
Although the potential hazards are known, it is what happens after an accident occurs that must be understood. If you or someone close to you was injured while shopping or working at Home Depot, it is important to know the options available to you. Should an injury have been sustained from a slip and fall or tumbling supplies, then you may be entitled to financial compensation. If the accident occurred in a Home Depot store, then it is imperative that you inquire with the best superstore accident attorneys you can find.
At Wolfson & Leon, our Home Depot accident and personal injury attorneys have assisted injured clients fight for their rightful compensation from negligent companies since 1963. We are ready to help you fight your case for the sustained injuries and damages against any home improvement superstore in Florida including but not limited to the Home Depot, Lowes, Walmart or any additional superstore.
Should you have been involved in any type of accident where an injury occurred and have further questions, we urge you to call us at 305-285-1115 for your free consultation. It is important to receive the answers you require for the remaining questions you have. We will evaluate the accident that took place and assist you in deciding the proper steps to take. We service injured people across Florida with offices in Fort Lauderdale, Miami, West Palm Beach and Fort Myers. We are available and ready to help you with anything you may need, so call us today.