If you, or a loved one, have been injured in a WalMart store anywhere in the United States such California, Texas, Pennsylvania, Florida or Ohio you may be entitled to benefits and financial compensation. This is according to personal injury statutes in the state where the accident or injury took place. The same holds true for injuries in Sam’s Club locations and Walmart pharmacies. Our team of WalMart accident lawyers are here to help you. WalMart is a giant corporation and they did not get to be as big as they are by losing money. WalMart views paying personal injury claims as losing money so they will do everything they can to not have to pay for your injuries, medical bills, lost wages, etc. They will protect themselves from the very beginning and you should do the same by retaining an experienced personal injury attorney who has experience handling WalMart slip and fall claims, Walmart parking lot accident claims, WalMart workers’ compensation claims and Walmart employment law cases. In recent years there has been a surge in opioid addiction lawsuits filed against Walmart, Walmart pharmacies and Walmart pharmacists as they have allegedly played a significant role in the opioid epidemic in this country. If you have suffered the devastation that comes with opioid addiction please contact our Walmart injury lawyers handling opioid addiction claims nationwide. Contact our network of WalMart accident lawyers today for a free initial consultation. In addition, they charge no fee unless they recover for you.
Our WalMart accident lawyers serve those injured at Walmart stores throughout the entire country including: Delaware, Maryland, Washington D.C., Massachusetts, Michigan, North Carolina, New Jersey, Nevada, Puerto Rico, Texas, Pennsylvania, New York, Illinois, Florida, and California.
WalMart’s History And Facts
WalMart, also spelled Wal-Mart, began as a small discount retailer in Rogers, Arkansas in 1950 when Sam Walton opened Walton’s 5 & 10. Walmart has since opened thousands of stores in the U.S. and expanded internationally. Walmart operates over 11,000 retail units under 65 banners in 28 countries and e-commerce websites in 11 countries. We employ 2.2 million associates around the world — 1.3 million in the U.S. alone.
Wal-Mart is also consistently one of, if not the largest, employers in the United States. Along with that they have been number 1 or number 2 in terms of the most profitable companies in the world. They ended 2014 with a net sales exceedeing $5 billion dollars globally.
The state of Texas has the most WalMart’s in the United States with 329 stores. At the other end of the spectrum Vermont has the fewest with 4 stores.
Causes Of Accidents & Injuries In WalMart’s & Sam’s Club Stores
While every slip and fall accident in a store has unique circumstances, there are some common causes to slip and fall injuries that may indicate the big business is at fault:
- Wet, slippery, broken or uneven floors and flooring
- Broken shelving
- Dangerous items hanging from shelves or ceilings
- Loose or unsecured rugs or carpeting
- Ice buildup in parking lot or near store entrance
- Car and pedestrian accidents
- Assault and sexual assault
- Potholes and black ice in Walmart parking lots
- Broken shopping carts
Most Walmart slip and fall accidents are caused by one of the factors listed above, or some slight deviation of them. If you have suffered a slip and fall in a store, note the cause and gather evidence supporting your claim. From there please contact our Dallas, Texas WalMart Accident Lawyers for a free consult. They charge no fees unless they recover for you.
Liability In WalMart Accidents
If you are injured in a slip and fall accident at a Wal-Mart in Pennsylvania, California, Ohio, Puerto Rico or anywhere in the United States WalMart may be liable for the injuries that you suffer. Every business has a legal responsibility to its customers to keep them safe from injuries, and are financially liable when safety standards are not met and customers are harmed. The legal responsibility to keep customers safe does not mean that slip and falls at Wal-Mart or other big box stores will always result in a successful injury claim, however, as large businesses are well prepared with experienced attorneys who are well practiced at defending lawsuits. If you have been injured in a slip and fall accident at a WalMart grocery store you should consider consulting with our team of experienced Chicago, Illinois WalMart accident lawyers before taking any insurance or legal action.
In any slip and fall injury claim, the injured party must be able to demonstrate the defendant was at fault for the injuries suffered by proving the accident was caused by a hazardous condition that the store should have been aware of. The decisions about whether or not the condition that caused the slip and fall accident is considered hazardous, and whether the store should have known, can vary due to factors beyond your control, however, you can help yourself by quickly gathering evidence. After your slip and fall accident in a store, it is a good idea to record everything that happened immediately while it is fresh in your mind by:
- Taking photos of the area
- Noting, and taking photos of, warning signs, conditions of the floor, conditions of the products or aisles near you, and any other factor that contributed to the slip and fall
- Getting names and contact information of witnesses to the incident
- Taking names of every store employee who spoke to you
- Writing down the facts as soon as you have an opportunity to do so
Representatives and employees from Wal-Mart will not help you with this. It is on you and you need to take matters into your own hands when gathering the evidence necessary to prove the business was at fault for your slip and fall accident. Once you retain one of our Philadelphia, Pennsylvania WalMart accident lawyers they will take over the fact and evidence finding for your claim.
WalMart Parking Lot Accidents
A large store such as Wal-Mart, Target or Home Depot can be legally responsible for a slip and fall injury that occurs in the parking lot just as it can the interior of the store. As with any claim, you will need to prove the business was negligent by demonstrating the injury was caused by a hazardous condition the store knew, or should have known, about.
For example, if you slip and fall on a patch of ice outside of a WalMart, your ability to recover injury damages will depend on whether or not store employees knew about the ice or should have known about it given the weather and the conditions where customers are likely to walk. If the injury occurred first thing in the morning before store employees had a reasonable opportunity to prevent the accident, then the store may not be liable. If the accident happened after several customers had complained or noted the presence of ice, then the store faces legal responsibility for the injuries.
Liability for slip and fall accidents in a parking lot depends on the same legal factors as accidents that occur in the store – the only change is the factual circumstances that drive the conclusion.
WalMart Restroom Accidents
Not all Wal-Mart accidents happen in the aisles or in the parking lot. Wal-Mart bathrooms and restrooms are a very common place for accidents to occur. These accidents can result in serious life altering injuries to the victim. These accidents are almost always caused by slippery or wet floors. Many times these areas do not have adequate signage warning patrons of the hazardous conditions. That coupled by the fact that people may tend to walk a a faster pace when they have to use the restroom makes for a very hazardous situation.
Walmart Pharmacy Opioid Addiction Lawsuits
In 2018 the Department of Justice (DOJ) formed a Prescription Interdiction & Litigation Task Force. As of December 23rd, after several years of investigation the DOJ filed a lawsuits against Walmart pharmacies as they seemed to have filled hundreds of thousands of opioid prescriptions throughout the country with minimal, if any, monitoring. It is no secret that over the past several decades opioid use, abuse and addiction has skyrocketed in the United States and several opioid manufacturers, such as Connecticut based Purdue Pharmaceuticals and the family that owns them (the Sackler family), have been held liable for their role in the opioid crisis.
The DOJ charges state that Walmart violated several Controlled Substances Act Laws; ‘unlawfully distributed opioids’, filled opioid and painkiller scripts and filled them ‘outside of normal pharmacy practice’.
In addition, as of 2018 Walmart Distribution Centers no longer distribute opioids as they are facing charges of not properly reporting to the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) hundreds of thousands of ‘suspicious’ opioid orders. To discuss filing your opioid addiction lawsuit please contact our Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania Walmart injury attorneys filing opioid lawsuits against Walmart, CVS pharmacies, Walgreens pharmacies, CostCo. pharmacies and others. Please see our opioid lawsuit video on YouTube here.
Defective Products Sold At Walmart
Many products sold at Walmart and other retailers have design flaws. Despite the defects some products work well and others do not. Examples are pressure cookers made by Crock-pot. Instant Pot, Tristar and others. Many of these devices can explode during use as the steam pressure inside becomes too great. When this happens the contents, including the heat and steam in excess of 200 degrees, literally explodes injuring anyone within the blast radius. Our NuWave pressure cooker injury attorneys have a wealth of experience handling pressure cooker explosion lawsuits nationwide. Please contact them to discuss getting the care and compensation you need for your burn and shrapnel injuries.
Other dangerous products sold at Walmart is the Weedkiller Roundup, Johnson & Johnson talcum powder, Fisher Price rock-n-play baby sleepers and medications both over the counter and prescription.
What Not To Do After A WalMart Accident
Anything and everything you say and do after a slip and fall injury at a large business can influence the settlement you receive. You are well served by avoiding any contact regarding the injury with anyone, including family or friends and especially insurance adjusters or store employees, until you have consulted with our Chicago, Illinois WalMart accident lawyers.
Immediately after the accident you may be required to fill out a slip and fall report form or contact a claims department in the store in order to officially put the business on notice that the incident occurred. If you must file notice of the accident immediately, avoid saying things like “I’m ok” or “I feel fine.” Statements like these could jeopardize your claim and can make it more difficult, or even impossible, for you to obtain benefits and compensation regardless of how badly you are injured. Please only give the facts surrounding the accident as that is more than sufficient. Also, you are free to request time to contact our New York, New York WalMart accident lawyers before taking further action.
Possible Benefits After A WalMart Accident
In the unfortunate event of a WalMart accident you may be entitled to various benefits depending on the circumstances surrounding the accident, the extent of your injuries, the type of vehicle that hit you and who caused the accident. There can be a single party at fault or multiple at fault parties. Some of the numerous benefits you can potentially be eligible for are:
Vehicle Repair Costs (If Vehicle Was Damaged In Accident)
This is a common benefit a WalMart accident victim may qualify for because, even if you are not injured in the crash there is typically vehicle damage as a result of the accident. Following the crash your vehicle will be deemed either repairable or totaled. If your vehicle is repairable the insurance company and auto body repair shop agree to a price and they pay you that amount. This amount is calculated in ‘pre-accident condition’ and you may be responsible for your deductible. In some cases you may be able to recover your deductible later on. If you purchased rental car coverage or reimbursement you may be able to get a rental car while total loss negotiations are taking place.
Medical Bills
The insurance carrier or insurance company that insures the vehicle that hit you will pay your medical bills. This is true if you were driving the vehicle that was hit or you were a passenger in the vehicle. They are responsible to pay your medical bills for up to 24 months following your accident. Medical expenses include: treatment devices, medication costs, doctor visit costs, hospital/inpatient stay costs, dental work as a result of the accident, chiropractic costs, surgical costs, anesthesia costs, x-rays, ambulance transport expenses and nursing or home health aide costs.
Sometimes this 24 month window may not be sufficient as your injuries may require long term care. Working with our skilled Dallas, Texas WalMart accident lawyers will accurately determine your future medical expenses and negotiate on your behalf so that all future medical expenses are compensated for.
In the event someone was killed in the accident the family of the deceased may be entitled to medical bills prior to death.
Lost Wages
Lost wages due to motor vehicle accident injuries are compensable under law in the state you were injured in.
Pain And Suffering
In all states pain and suffering compensation encompass any physical, mental, emotional and psychological repercussions as a result of the accident. If your injuries are serious enough you may experience a diminished quality of life.
Under personal injury laws in the state you were injured in you can seek compensation through your own insurance company if the driver that hit you is uninsured. Pain and suffering damages are extremely difficult to establish monetarily without the aide of an experienced Minnesota working on your behalf.
If a loved one was killed in the accident, wrongful death laws allow for the family and dependents of the deceased person to file claims for:
- Funeral Expenses
- Loss Of Future Wages Benefits
- Loss Of Companionship Benefits
- Loss Of Parental Guidance Benefits
As it is very complex to calculate these benefits it makes sense to hire our skilled, and experienced Los Angeles, California WalMart accident lawyers. They may be your most valuable resource in getting you properly compensated following the accident.
Don’t Discuss Your WalMart Claim On Social Media
As you may know, social networking websites such as Facebook, Google Plus, Instagram and Twitter are used by millions of people on a daily basis to discuss a variety of topics. As information continues to be exchanged between parties on social networks, more personal data is wrongfully obtained by cunning private parties.
In particular, there has been a steady increase in insurance companies using social networking websites to gather information about parties involved in personal injury legal disputes. Thus, it is important for personal injury claimants to guard their online conversations.
Read on to learn 3 important things you should never disclose on social media networks regarding your personal injury cause of action.
Don’t Disclose Information About Your Walmart Lawsuit
Insurance companies and personal injury defense attorneys are using social media sites as sources of evidence to denounce a plaintiff’s cause of action. Such entities have been known to create fake social accounts to spy on plaintiffs in order to obtain evidence about their alleged injury and use it against them.
This is why you should never discuss your personal injury claim on social media networks. This may sound like a no brainer, but it is not uncommon for personal injury plaintiffs to disclose information about their injury to their friends.
You should be on alert for anyone who tries to obtain information from you regarding your injury on social networks. It could very easily be the defense counsel scheming to obtain information from you in order to discredit your cause of action.
Don’t Discuss Any Physical Activities On Social Media
In addition to not disclosing information about your Walmart accident claim, you should never release information about physical activities you may be participating in on your social networks. Discussing such information may be used against you to weaken your Walmart injury lawsuit.
For instance, say you incurred a leg injury as a result of the negligent act of another. As a result of the injury, you file a personal injury claim against Walmart, Sam’s Club or a Walmart pharmacy stating that you want money damages. The damages you seek include loss wages due to the fact that you are unable to work. You then go and post on your social networks that you are going on a family vacation to a water park. Defense counsel may obtain this information and use it against you to reduce the value of your claim. This is why it is so important to not mention any type of physical activity on social networks.
Do Not Post Any Pictures Or Videos To Social Networks
You should not post any pictures that can be used against you to diminish your personal injury cause of action. Pictures and videos from your social networks may also be used as evidence against you by opposing counsel.
If you doubt whether or not you should post specific information on your social networks during your personal injury proceeding, do not do it. Further, you should not disclose information on your social networks even after the conclusion of your personal injury claim. The opposing party may file an appeal and use evidence from your social network against you.
If you would like more information regarding social media use and personal injury lawsuits, please contact our team of El Paso, Texas WalMart accident lawyers.
Hiring Our WalMart Accident Lawyers
Big box stores such as Best Buy, Ikea, Lowe’s, Home Depot and Wal-Mart are experienced at defending slip and fall lawsuits, and have been known to take an aggressive stance in proving the store is not at fault. Wal-Mart especially is notorious for defending slip and fall lawsuits in court, and the company has stated that it prides itself in rigorously fighting slip and fall liability accusations. This does not mean that Wal-Mart, or other large stores, fight dirty or bend legal rules – it simply means they are well prepared and well practiced at defending slip and fall lawsuits. This is no cause for alarm however as our team of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania WalMart accident lawyers have won dozens of cases against WalMart.
With the possibility of an aggressive defense to your lawsuit a likelihood, you are well served by consulting with an experienced slip and fall attorney before taking any legal action. Our Jacksonville, Florida WalMart accident lawyers offer free consultations, and work on a contingency fee – meaning they do not get paid unless you win a judgment, receive a settlement or a verdict is awarded.
Contact Our Houston Texas WalMart Accident Lawyers
Please do not hesitate to contact our team of Charlotte, North Carolina WalMart accident lawyers to discuss your case. Despite how big WalMart is as a corporation they still have an obligation to maintain safe property conditions. If they do not, and you suffer an injury, you may be entitled to benefits and financial compensation. Let our Atlanta, Georgia WalMart premises liability attorneys get you the benefits and compensation you deserve.
No matter what state you were injured in our team of WalMart accident lawyers can help as they serve all 50 states, Puerto Rico and Washington D.C. including: Alabama, Alaska, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, Washington D.C., West Virginia, Wyoming and Wisconsin.