Accidents will happen at one point or other in big box stores like Walmart. The employees may drop greasy food on the floor and not clean it up right away, or they may fail to put out warning cones when there’s a spill.
Walmart is a big company, and as such, it has a legal responsibility to ensure the safety of its premises for customers. It’s worth noting that the store property extends to the parking lot, meaning that it’s responsible for the safety of its customers at all times, whether inside or outside the store.
As mentioned, employees and managers may not be as careful as they should be in maintaining safe stores. What follows are preventable slip and fall accident injuries that could have otherwise been avoided.
If you’ve been involved in a slip and fall accident at Walmart and have grounds to file a claim against them, here’s what you should do.
Steps to Take After a Slip and Fall Accident at Walmart
Collect Evidence
To have the best chances of winning your case, you’ll need to collect evidence immediately after the accident. This will help you prove liability in any claims against Walmart. Such evidence includes:
- Taking pictures of the accident scene, including any damage to the floor or surfaces
- Getting witness statements and their contact information
- Keeping track of medical bills and other expenses related to the accident
- Available surveillance footage
You should also keep the shoes and clothes you wore at the time of your slip and fall accident, as they may contain evidence of causation. An excellent example of this would be if you slipped on a waxed floor and no warning sign was present.
File a Claim
If you have the evidence needed to prove liability, go ahead and contact Walmart. You’ll need to file a claim against their insurance company so they can begin an investigation into your case.
Remember to have all your evidence and documentation ready, as you’ll need to provide it to the insurance company. They will likely want to interview you about the accident, so be prepared for that as well.
Consult With A Walmart Slip and Fall Attorney
Walmart will likely value your claim at a lesser agreed-upon amount. This is where a slip and fall accident attorney comes in.
They will know what to do to maximize your winnings from a case against Walmart, including any additional factors you may not be aware of, such as punitive damages. They will help you file your claim against Walmart’s insurance company and make sure you receive the maximum financial recovery for your injuries.
Get Medical Attention
It’s important to check yourself for any injuries after a slip and fall accident. In case you’re injured, consult with a doctor right away, especially if the injury will not heal on its own or has delayed symptoms like a concussion.
It’s also essential to have regular follow-up appointments with your medical provider to track how well your injuries are healing and any changes that may happen in the future.
Write Down What Happened
Create a detailed log of events immediately after the accident. Here, you can have a detailed description of the incident while it’s still fresh in your mind. This will help you remember important details down the line. Don’t forget to include the date, time, location of the Walmart, hazard that made you fall, and the injuries you sustained.
What to Expect In Your Case Against Walmart
Like all big companies, Walmart will do everything in its power to reduce the amount it has to pay out in liability claims. This means that you can expect a lengthy and challenging legal process ahead.
You’ll need to be prepared for a long fight as Walmart will likely try to disprove your allegations or find other ways to reduce liability.
If you think that Walmart’s insurance company is not treating your case with enough urgency, speak up and request them to take action. If they continue ignoring the situation or offer an unfair settlement amount, contact a personal injury attorney to help guide you through this process.
Before You Accept Any Settlement Offer
It’s essential to know the value of your case before accepting any liability settlement offer. This can be difficult, especially if you’ve not yet consulted with an attorney. However, there are other ways to determine how much money you might receive from Walmart for liability claims. Here are options that you can try out:
Contact a Local Personal Injury Attorney
They will be able to give you an estimate of how much Walmart might payout based on your injuries and other factors, such as the number of people who were affected by this case.
Consult Someone With a Similar Experience
Speak with another person who has had a similar accident at Walmart and received liability compensation. They can share their experience and point you in the right direction towards a fair settlement amount.