By Anthony I. Shin, Esq. | Personal Injury Attorney | Shin Law Office
Potomac Mills is one of the largest outlet malls on the East Coast and a major shopping destination in Prince William County.
Visitors travel from across Northern Virginia, Washington, DC, and Maryland to attend sales events, holiday promotions, and seasonal clearance days.
These events attract massive crowds, especially near popular retail brands and specialty stores that advertise limited-time deals.
When crowds gather at store entrances without proper supervision, shoppers can be pushed, knocked down, trampled, or crushed against display racks and door frames.
I represent individuals who suffered severe injuries during crowd surges at Potomac Mills, and I understand exactly how poor planning and unsafe line control create dangerous conditions that should never happen in a modern retail environment.
Why Potomac Mills Store Entrances Become Extremely Dangerous During Sales Events
Potomac Mills features long interior corridors lined with outlet stores, each competing for attention during promotions.
On major sale days, hundreds of people gather outside a single store long before it opens.
Retailers often place promotional signs, rolling racks, and merchandise bins near the entrance, creating choke points.
Without proper crowd control, shoppers press forward to secure deals before items sell out.
Store employees are usually not trained to manage crowds, and security staff are often focused on the common walkways rather than individual entrances.
As these crowds grow, movement becomes unpredictable.
A simple shift in weight, a single person stumbling, or a wave of people pushing toward a newly opened door can trigger a chain reaction that injures multiple people at once.
How Severe Injuries Occur During Crowd Surges at Potomac Mills
I have represented injured shoppers and investigated incidents involving:
• People being pushed forward as store doors open
• Shoppers pinned against door frames or metal display racks
• Sudden crowd waves that knock individuals to the ground
• Blocked emergency exits as crowds fill narrow entrance zones
• Staff allowing customers to enter in large groups without spacing
• Long lines wrapping around corners and cutting off visibility
• Children or elderly shoppers falling and being stepped on
• People tripping on promotional bins placed directly in the entrance area
When someone falls in a crowd, they often cannot get up. The body weight of multiple people can cause fractures, head injuries, spinal trauma, or internal damage.
These situations develop in seconds and are entirely preventable when stores follow proper line management procedures.
High Risk Areas Inside Potomac Mills
Based on prior incidents, the most dangerous crowd surge points include:
• The long central promenade near major clothing and footwear outlets
• Large brand-name stores known for holiday and Black Friday deals
• Shoe retailers where limited stock drives heavy urgency
• Electronics and specialty stores that release high-demand items
• The east wing, near international fashion chains, is popular with younger shoppers
• Narrow entrance zones where stores use promotional racks to pull shoppers in
These areas see some of the highest shopper density in Prince William County during significant sales.
What Types of Severe Injuries Occur During Overcrowded Store Entrances
Crowd-related incidents often cause:
• Traumatic brain injuries from falling and striking the ground
• Spinal injuries due to compression or twisting in a fall
• Broken ribs or internal injuries from being crushed
• Leg fractures from being pushed or stepped on
• Shoulder dislocations from sudden pulling or shoving
• Lacerations from falling against display fixtures
• Severe bruising and soft tissue damage
These injuries are often immediate and require emergency medical care.
How I Investigate Crowd Surge Injuries at Potomac Mills
Potomac Mills maintains extensive surveillance coverage throughout its corridors.
Many stores also operate interior cameras.
I act quickly to preserve all footage before it is overwritten. I also gather:
• Incident reports completed by mall security
• Statements from employees who witnessed the event
• Information on store crowd control policies
• Photos of the scene, including blocked exits or promotional racks
• Prior complaints about overcrowding at the same store
• Staffing logs to determine whether adequate employees were present
By analyzing the store layout and mall procedures, I determine whether employees followed proper safety practices or ignored foreseeable risks.
Who May Be Responsible for the Injury
Liability may fall on:
• The specific retailer hosting the sale event
• Potomac Mills management
• Security staff who failed to monitor crowd buildup
• Store supervisors who ignored dangerous conditions
• Promotional teams that placed racks or displays in unsafe locations
Crowd surges are predictable and preventable.
When stores fail to control them, they are responsible for the injuries that follow.
Compensation for Severe Injuries from Potomac Mills Crowd Surges
I pursue compensation for:
• Emergency medical treatment
• Hospital care and specialist evaluations
• Surgery for fractures or internal injuries
• Physical therapy
• Lost wages
• Reduced future earning ability
• Pain and suffering
• Emotional trauma from the incident
• Long term medical expenses
Severe physical injuries often come with long recovery periods, and compensation must account for this.
What You Should Do After a Crowd-Related Injury at Potomac Mills
Seek medical care immediately, even if symptoms feel mild at first.
Report the incident to mall security or store management.
Request a written incident report. If possible, take photos of the scene and collect witness information.
Do not speak with insurance representatives until you speak with me.
My Commitment to Injured Shoppers in Prince William County
Potomac Mills attracts enormous crowds, but with that popularity comes a responsibility to maintain safe store entrances and control how shoppers enter during significant events.
When a preventable crowd surge causes severe injuries, I act quickly to secure evidence, prove negligence, and pursue full compensation.
If you were injured at Potomac Mills during a sales event, I will stand with you and protect your rights.
Call 571-445-6565 or book a consultation online today.
— Anthony I. Shin, Esq.
Principal Attorney | Shin Law Office
