How to Handle Walmart Slip and Fall Settlements
Accidents happen every day, but knowing how to handle the aftermath can make all the difference for someone who has been injured in one. Walmart slip and fall settlements can happen more often thank you may think.
This is especially true for someone who has had a slip and fall accident while shopping at their local Walmart. To make sure you are fairly compensated for your injury, read on to know exactly what you need to do and who you need to contact to get on your team to navigate Walmart slip and fall settlements.
What Can Cause a Walmart Slip and Fall?
A slip and fall accident can happen anywhere, but in a place as large as your typical store and with a wide range of products that can cause an accident, they are especially common in Walmart. These types of accidents can be caused by:
- Wet floors: An uncarpeted floor like you’ll find in a typical chain store can be slippery if recently mopped, if there has been a spill, or if umbrellas and rain boots bring the wet weather inside.
- Uneven surfaces: Tiles can come loose all the time due to heavy traffic and moving machinery in stores like Walmart. When this happens, they can pose a tripping hazard.
- Inadequate signage: During regular cleaning, employees need to put up warnings that floors may be wet. Without adequate signage warning customers, falls can often happen and the store will be held liable.
- Cluttered walkways: Aisles may be overcrowded as employees try to efficiently stock the shelves. This can easily lead to cluttered aisles that are difficult to maneuver and post tripping hazards.
While not an exhaustive list, these are common things you may encounter in your average Walmart that could cause an accident that injures you.
I Fell at Walmart: What Should I Do
If you are the victim of a slip and fall accident in Walmart, there are things you need to do right away to ensure you have the strongest case possible should you need to seek compensation through the courts for your injuries.
Here are the steps you should follow in the event of a fall at Walmart:
Step One: Gather Witnesses
Witnesses are vital to any claim you may make as they can give information about your fall that you don’t remember at the time due to the stress of the incident. Make sure to get the names and contact information of anyone who may have seen you fall.
Step Two: Report the Accident
Ask to speak to a manager right away to report your accident even if you don’t think you’re injured. Once you report it, get a copy of the incident report they have to fill out before you leave.
Step Three: Take Pictures
With cell phones, we all have a quality camera in our pocket at all times. Use it to take pictures and videos of the condition of the area in which you fell. If you have visible injuries from your fall, take pictures and video of these right away as well.
Step Four: Seek Medical Attention Right Away
After you are finished at the scene, seek medical attention even if you don’t think you’re injured or badly injured. Very often, the adrenaline and embarrassment that come with such an accident can mask the injury until later when you’ve calmed down. If you don’t seek this attention and discover injuries later, your claim could be in jeopardy. Keep all your bills for later compensation.
Step Five: Seek Legal Counsel
After seeking medical attention and getting your condition documented, seek the legal help of a firm like Poynter & Bucheri with years of experience in getting victims of falls the compensation they need to get their life back on track after an injury.
How Much Does Walmart Pay for a Slip and Fall?
When you file your claim and reach a settlement, the amount of the settlement will vary depending on a lot of factors.
Your settlement can depend on:
- The extent of your injuries
- How much needs to be paid to you to compensate you for medical bills
- Lost wages if you have to miss work because of your injuries
- Negligence if it was found to have hazards that weren’t addressed promptly for the safety of their customers and employees
To determine what you are entitled to and reach a number from there, seeking a lawyer’s assistance is crucial in getting a fair settlement.
Poynter & Bucheri- Slip and Fall Accident Attorneys
Seeking experienced legal counsel after any kind of accident is always recommended, but after a fall at Walmart, it’s especially important.
Why is that? Walmart is a big company with a large team of lawyers working to make sure your claim isn’t held up in court and doesn’t give you the payout you deserve. For Walmart slip and fall settlements, you will need someone on your side with experience in working with large corporations on behalf of their clients.
With a lawyer’s assistance, you can file the proper claim against Walmart and have assistance in providing the following necessary information:
- The events around your fall
- When and where you fell
- Why Walmart is responsible for your accident
- How much you deserve to be compensated for medical treatment and lost wages
A good slip and fall lawyer is going to be able to expertly guide you through the settlement offer from Walmart from beginning to end to ensure the big corporation doesn’t beat the little guy.
At Poynter and Bucheri, our attorneys have decades of experience in helping those who were injured in a slip and fall accident to get the compensation they deserve. If you’ve been injured in a fall at Walmart or any other store, contact us today at 1-800-265-9881 for help.