FREE CASE EVALUATION
(708) 460-9300Big-box retail stores make shopping for a wide range of products convenient. They also present numerous risks for slip-and-fall accidents. As one of the world’s largest retail companies, Walmart sees many slip-and-fall accidents and legal claims. The company has over 4,000 stores nationwide, including a Supercenter in Orland Park. They are quite experienced at defending themselves against slip-and-fall injury claims ranging from sprains or broken bones to traumatic brain injuries. If you have suffered injuries in a slip-and-fall accident at a Walmart or other retail store, an Orland Park personal injury lawyer can help you assert a claim for damages. You may file a lawsuit, but a lawyer can help you explore all possible ways to recover compensation.
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What Can Cause a Slip-and-Fall Accident at a Walmart Store?
Big-box retail stores like Walmart can be busy places. Slip-and-fall accidents may result from a lack of maintenance or other dangerous conditions.
Wet Floors
Wet floors are such a common cause of slip-and-fall accidents that “Caution: Wet Floor” signs are readily available at most business supply stores. Hazardous conditions may result from:
Uneven Floors
Constant foot traffic and regular wear and tear can create hazards in retail stores, such as:
Cluttered Aisles
Merchandise can fall off shelves, or customers might drop items on the floor. Either can create tripping or slipping hazards. A particular risk occurs when the merchandise is difficult to see. For example, an article of clothing on a similarly-colored floor poses a significant risk of someone slipping and falling.
Inadequate Lighting
A failure to provide enough lighting can create risks that would not be present in brighter conditions. This might involve a tripping hazard in a dark area of a store at any hour of the day. At night, it might involve hazards in an unlit area of the parking lot.
Icy Sidewalks or Parking Lots
Liability for falls caused by snowy or icy surfaces can be complicated under Illinois law. Property owners are not generally responsible for “natural accumulations” of snow or ice.
An exception may apply, however, if a property owner creates an “unnatural accumulation” on their property. For example, an Illinois court held a property owner liable for a slip-and-fall injury caused by an icy parking lot when the ice resulted from snow piled against the side of the building which melted and then re-froze as black ice.
Who Could Be Liable for a Slip-and-Fall Accident at a Walmart Store?
Under Illinois’ premises liability law, a property owner is liable for injuries caused by hazardous conditions when:
A large store like a Walmart Supercenter presents many possible slip-and-fall risks. A store manager should know about the potential risks. For example, spills are likely to happen in the grocery section of a Supercenter, so management is responsible for regularly inspecting the area and cleaning up spills promptly.
A property owner is usually only liable for slip-and-fall accidents when they have direct control over maintaining the property. If someone else is responsible for maintenance, such as if they are leasing the property from the owner, they could be liable instead.
The following parties could be liable for slip-and-fall accidents on the premises of a Walmart:
What Should I Do After a Slip-and-Fall Accident at a Wal-Mart Store?
The following steps can help you protect your rights after a slip-and-fall accident:
What Should I Expect From the Insurance Claim Process?
Your lawyer will prepare a claim to submit to the insurance company. This will include information about how the accident occurred, the extent of your injuries, and a settlement demand. The insurance company will review the claim and either deny it or make a settlement offer. The process serves as a preview of how a lawsuit might go.
Possible defense strategies that Walmart might use include the following:
Large companies like Walmart have access to evidence that might not be available to smaller businesses. This evidence can just as easily work in your favor, depending on what it shows:
Injured in a Slip-and-Fall Accident? Contact an Orland Park Personal Injury Attorney Today.
Slip-and-fall accident lawyer Michael J. Brennan has spent decades advocating for the rights of people who have suffered injuries in Orland Park and throughout the Chicago suburbs. He will fight tirelessly at the negotiating table and, if necessary, in the courtroom to recover the compensation you deserve. Schedule a confidential consultation today to discuss your case by calling 708-762-8239 or filling out the firm’s online contact form.