Walmart is the world’s largest retailer and conveniently provides many different goods and services. While this can be very helpful for those who want a one-stop shop, it can also create a hazardous environment in which to work and shop.
If you or someone you love has been injured in a slip and fall accident in a Walmart store, you may have legal options available, including seeking compensation to cover medical bills and lost time from work. Contact the law offices of Florin|Roebig today to speak with a slip and fall accident lawyer about your case.
Understanding Slip and Fall Accidents
A slip-and-fall accident occurs any time an individual trips, stumbles, or slips due to the hazardous conditions of the floors or ground. Common causes of these types of dangerous conditions can include:
- Uneven surfaces
- Slick, polished, or wet floors
- Loose rugs
- Poor lighting
“Slip-and-fall accidents can happen quickly and can be very scary for those who are involved. It can also be frightening to go against Walmart and pursue compensation for your medical expenses and lost wages. Contact a Florin|Roebig attorney from the start to assist you with your case,” says Chad K. Florin, an esteemed attorney of Florin|Roebig.
Statistics For Slip-and-Fall Accidents in Retail Stores
The following are slip-and-fall accident statistics for major U.S. retail stores like Walmart.
- Slip-and-fall accidents are the leading cause of emergency room visits, accounting for over 8 million hospital visits.
- Work-related slip-and-fall accidents are the number one reason people miss work.
- 85% of worker’s compensation claims are caused by employees slipping on a slick floor.
- The Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) says that floors and flooring textiles contribute directly to more than 2 million annual fall injuries.
Walmart’s flooring is meant to be durable and withstand lots of foot traffic, carts, spills, and more, which can cause damage such as dents, peeling, and missing flooring. How the floors are cleaned, including buffing and shining, can make them slippery and make it difficult for shoes to get traction.
Common Injuries from Slip and Fall Accidents
Slipping and falling can cause mild to severe injuries, depending on the person’s age and health and the way they land when they fall. For some, a fall can be perilous, while others may only receive bumps and bruises, so receiving prompt medical care should be the primary concern.
Common injuries resulting from slip-and-fall accidents include the following:
- Bruises, cuts, and abrasions
- Sprains and strains to wrists, ankles, and shoulders
- Torn tendons
- Soft tissue injuries
- Joint dislocations, such as a hip or shoulder
- Broken bones and fractures
- Neck injuries
- Head injuries
- Spinal cord injuries
- Traumatic brain damage
- Hip fractures
- Chronic pain/nerve damage
These injuries, like hip fractures, can be very dangerous for older accident victims and may result in years of surgery, physical therapy, and pain medication. If you need help covering these medical expenses, call the law offices of Florin|Roebig today.
Why You Need a Walmart Slip and Fall Lawyer
The aftermath of a Walmart slip-and-fall accident can be stressful, full of pain, frustration, and medical expenses. Hiring a slip-and-fall accident attorney may not immediately come to mind for many people, but there are several compelling reasons why reaching out to a lawyer can be very beneficial.
Advantages that you can gain by hiring a Florin|Roebig slip-and-fall accident attorney include:
Slip-and-Fall Accident Case Experience
The slip-and-fall accident attorneys of Florin|Roebig have been representing accident victims both in and out of court for forty years. Our lawyers have seen everything the big Walmart legal team is ready to do to save Walmart money, so they are prepared to fight for your case.
A Strong Personal Injury Claim
With a long history of successfully representing many slip-and-fall accident victims, including winning over $1 billion in compensation for our clients, the Florin|Roebig team of attorneys knows what is needed to build a strong, winning claim. You can trust our lawyers to understand how to make a solid slip-and-fall claim.
Negotiating A Fair Settlement
Slip-and-fall claims can typically be handled quickly and efficiently outside the court system. However, your Florin|Roebig attorney is ready to explain your claim to a judge when your insurance does not cooperate or you cannot get Walmart to pay your damages.
“Many people are not aware of the benefits they can gain by hiring a slip-and-fall attorney. This can be a very stressful time for those who are involved, and hiring an attorney can alleviate at least some of that stress,” assures Chad K. Florin.
Our Featured Case Results
Determining Liability in Slip and Fall Accidents
Slip-and-fall accident victims will likely hear many legal terms as they prepare to file an accident claim with their insurance company or a lawsuit with their attorney. Two terms that will be important to learn are liability and negligence.
Liability refers to who will be held financially responsible for the accident. Negligence refers to the failure to act with reasonable care, resulting in someone being injured. The most critical step in determining liability in slip-and-fall accidents is proving that there was negligence on Walmart’s behalf.
One important way to prove Walmart was negligent is by gathering evidence of the accident scene. Important things to gather to prove negligence include the following:
- Pictures of the hazard/reason for falling
- The incident report filed with Walmart
- Medical records that show your injuries
- Recorded witness statements, if there are any witnesses
The hardest part about proving negligence in a Walmart slip-and-fall accident is proving that the store and other responsible parties, such as store employees and management, knew about the knew about the potential hazard and failed to act on it promptly or at all.
Filing a Slip and Fall Accident Claim Against Walmart
If you or a loved one has been injured in a slip-and-fall accident at Walmart, filing a claim against the mega-corporation may seem daunting. However, the following are helpful steps you can take after an accident to get the accident claim process started right away.
- Get medical attention immediately. Slip-and-fall accidents can result in serious injuries, such as a concussion or fractured hip. Getting medical care immediately following an accident is essential to prevent minor injuries from becoming more serious.
- Collect evidence at the scene of the accident. It is crucial to prove that this accident could have been prevented. You can take pictures and videos of the accident scene and, if possible, record videos of witness statements.
- Report the accident to Walmart. Walmart will have a manager you can speak with and give you the necessary paperwork to file an incident report. Make sure you receive a copy of the report for your personal records, your insurance company, and your accident lawyer.
- Call a Florin|Roebig attorney. Contact a Florin|Roebig slip-and-fall accident attorney as soon as you can. Our specialized attorneys know the laws and deadlines associated with slip-and-fall accidents and can ensure you do not accidentally hurt your case.
- Contact Walmart’s insurance company. To begin the insurance claim, you must call Walmart’s provider and inform them of the accident. Your Florin|Roebig attorney can assist you with any questions regarding this process.
- Negotiate a settlement. Your slip-and-fall attorney will act on your behalf to negotiate a settlement amount covering the damages you received in the accident. If your attorney cannot reach a fair settlement, they will be prepared to represent your claim to a judge.
Types of Compensation in Slip and Fall Accident Cases
When someone files a lawsuit or a claim against Walmart for damages related to a slip-and-fall accident, they are seeking compensation from Walmart, which can be monetary or non-monetary.
Types of damages that can be sought after a slip-and-fall accident in Walmart include:
- Lost income from missing work or being unable to return to work.
- Medical expenses from your injury, including ongoing medical care.
- Pain and suffering which can be mental, emotional, and physical.
If Walmart is found to have acted with gross negligence, which is when it acts in a way that extremely disregards its employees’ and customers’ safety, it may also have to pay punitive damages. Punitive damages are extra compensation on top of the necessary compensation to punish the store for negligence.
If you need help understanding the types of compensation that you can receive from Walmart or would like to have the whole process explained to you, contact Florin|Roebig today for a free consultation and case evaluation.
Challenges in Slip and Fall Accident Cases
While it may seem perfectly evident to you and your loved one who was at fault for your slip-and-fall accident in Walmart, the courts in Florida require specific proof that can be difficult to obtain.
Florida Statutes § 768.0755 states that a person injured in a Walmart accident must prove that the store owner knew of the hazard but did not take any action to rectify it. One of the best ways to do this is to get witness testimony from employees and people who were in the area often enough to notice the trip-and-fall hazard.
Walmart is considered a mega-corporation and can hire top-rated attorneys and insurance companies to protect itself. You will need the best slip-and-fall accident attorneys to represent your claim, defend it against these legal challenges, and treat you fairly.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the average settlement amount for a slip and fall in Florida?
There is no set settlement amount for Walmart slip-and-fall accidents because every case is different—however, most injury settlements with Walmart range between $45,000 and $850,000.
Does Walmart like to settle out of court?
Walmart is unlikely to settle out of court because it does not want to set a precedent for paying off injury claims. However, Florin|Roebig attorneys are number one in Florida because they are not afraid to go toe-to-toe with Walmart’s legal team.
Can I sue Walmart for injury?
Yes, you can sue Walmart for a slip-and-fall accident if the store manager was proven liable and/or negligent about the hazard that caused the accident.
Choosing the Right Walmart Slip and Fall Lawyer
After you have been involved in a slip-and-fall accident in a Walmart store, you may feel intimidated by the task ahead of you: negotiating a fair settlement out of Walmart.
The good news is that some specialized attorneys deal exclusively with personal injury law, such as an accident at Walmart. The lawyers of Florin|Roebig are top-rated for their ability to negotiate with even the most stubborn legal teams.
Things to take into consideration when choosing a slip-and-fall lawyer include the following:
- The ability to clearly explain your legal rights to you
- How well they can explain the process of collecting damages
- Their ability to collect and analyze evidence for your claim
- Their ability to explain and meet all critical legal deadlines
- Their history of successfully negotiating with mega-corporations like Walmart
We Are Nationally Awarded Lawyers
How to Get Help from Florin|Roebig Attorneys
If you or someone you love has been in a Walmart slip-and-fall accident and you are ready to hire the best slip-and-fall attorneys in Florida, the following are the best ways to reach our offices.
- Call our phone number 24/7
- Visit our website, florinroebig.com.
- Questions can be emailed to [email protected]
Walmart has become a staple in many people’s lives due to its affordability and convenience, but it has also become so large that it allows for accidents to occur. These accidents may not be serious to the Walmart corporation, but they can be devastating to the accident victims.
If you have been involved in a slip-and-fall accident in a Walmart store and you are ready to seek compensation for your injuries and damages, do not let Walmart intimidate you. You and your claim matter. Call Florin|Roebig today to schedule a free consultation and case evaluation.
