Injuries After a Slip-And-Fall at Walmart in Orland Park

Michael J. Brennan, Accident & Injury Lawyer proudly represents slip and fall accident victims in Orland Park. When you stop in at Walmart to buy groceries or shop for your household needs, the possibility of a slip and fall injury is ever present. This is unfortunate, but not uncommon given the huge number of shoppers and merchandise at these stores. If you or a loved one have been hurt in one of these accidents, contact us today for a free consultation to discuss your legal options.

Do You Need a Lawyer For These Cases?

Because they’re so common, you might not be aware that you even have legal options if you slip and fall at a Walmart. But the fact is, you do. Walmart has a legal responsibility to keep you and other shoppers safe while you’re there.

So, if you’re hurt by slipping and falling, and want to hold Walmart accountable, one effective approach is to file an injury claim. You may not need to work with our team if your injuries or the accident were minor, but you still have the option if you want, and we can help you.

This typically involves formally submitting a claim to Walmart’s insurance company, and you have two options in general:

• File a claim through Walmart and any other liable party’s insurance policy
• File a personal injury lawsuit

By working with our team, we can help you with key aspects of your claim like:

• Collecting and reviewing evidence
• Conducting a comprehensive investigation of the accident
• Interviewing potential witnesses

Once you decide to move forward with a claim, what we’ll do is formally demand damages from Walmart’s insurance company, then negotiate with them. This process either takes place out of court (insurance claim) or through the court system (lawsuit.)

In both situations, you can ask Walmart to cover your damages. But every case is different. Usually, you can ask for:

• Medical expenses – This includes payments for hospitals, surgeries, doctor visits, medicine, and therapy for your injuries.
• Lost earnings – If you can’t work because of your injuries, you can ask for financial considerations to make up for the income you lost. This also covers future financial considerations you might lose if your injuries are long-term.
• Pain and suffering – You can ask for financial support to make up for the physical and emotional pain caused by the slip-and-fall, depending on how severe your injuries are.
• Property damage – If your belongings, like your phone, got damaged, you can ask for Walmart to pay for repair or replacement costs.
• Loss of enjoyment of life – Your injuries could impact how you live your life, including not being able to do things you used to do or could even impact your personal relationships. These damages will cover this.
• Punitive damages – In rare situations where someone was really careless or did something on purpose, you might get extra financial considerations to punish them.
• Attorneys fees and costs – If you work with us and win the case, we might get some of your legal fees covered.

Even if it happened at Walmart, each slip-and-fall is different. What happens depends on the details of what occurred and how strong your case is. Figuring out what to do is important, especially making sure you have evidence. Our slip and fall team is here to help you through it all.

Common Injuries in a Slip and Fall

When you slip and fall, it can lead to various injuries, some of which may be severe or life-threatening. While each slip and fall accident is different, there are common injuries that often result, including:

• Head and brain injuries, such as concussions, skull fractures, and traumatic brain injuries (TBI) when the head hits the ground or another object during a fall.
• Back or spine injuries, which can cause paralysis.
• Broken bones, especially in the wrists, arms, hips, and ankles when trying to break the fall.
• Soft tissue injuries, like sprains, strains, and contusions, are common in most slip and fall accidents.
• Cuts and bruises to your face, head, and body.
• Emotional trauma, including anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

How Can You Figure Out Liability?

If you slip and fall at a Walmart, one of the first things we do legally is figure out who is responsible for what happened. Normally, it’s the job of Walmart’s store managers and employees to make sure the place is safe for customers.

So, if Walmart or someone working for them doesn’t do their job and it leads to someone getting hurt, they might be seen as responsible. To prove this, either you or the person who got injured has to show that Walmart:

• Knew about the potential issue or hazard but didn’t fix it.
• Should have known about the problem but didn’t do reasonable things to fix it.

While liability depends on the circumstances, there’s some common causes that not only lead to injuries, but Walmart’s liability in the accident:

• Slippery floors from leaks or spills
• Uneven tiles or surfaces
• Inadequate lighting
• Blocked walkways
• Damaged floor mats
• Improperly trained or careless staff

Walmart is typically held responsible if any of these conditions lead to an accident. However, certain legal factors are considered, including:

• Were you legally allowed to be there?
• Did Walmart know about the hazard?
• What steps did Walmart take to address the issue?

For instance, if you’re trespassing, Walmart’s responsibility to protect you from hazards is lower. On the other hand, if you’re shopping and slip on a wet floor that the store knew about but didn’t fix, Walmart is likely liable for your injuries.

With that said, there could be multiple parties responsible, including:

• Walmart employees
• Other shoppers
• Contractors
• Product manufacturers
• Security companies

It’s essential to identify all parties responsible for your overall recovery. This enables you to take necessary steps against each party, including Walmart. Even after determining liability, your actions right after the incident play a crucial role in shaping how the process unfolds.

Necessary Measures After a Slip and Fall

When you slip and fall at Walmart, what you do next is very important to how your claim plays out. Some of these things are rather obvious, while others might be a little more involved. Regardless, when this happens, here’s what you need to do:

• Get help from a bystander or employee, then ask for medical care and have an employee report the incident to the store.
• Speak to any witnesses and get their contact information.
• Take pictures or videos of the scene, including what hazards or issues created the accident.
• Take and keep any evidence, like damaged property or clothing.
• See if you can speak to the store management about the incident, and ask them to create an official incident report.
• Get further medical care with your primary care doctor or some other medical professional.

Again, it’s difficult to overstate just how important these steps are to your overall claim. Not only do they take care of your health, they’re also extremely important for providing an accurate account of what happened. Walmart’s insurance representatives are going to take any chance they can to pay you as little as possible, and these steps will protect you from that.

Orland Park Slip and Fall Victims at Walmart Can Count on MJB Law

If you or a loved one experiences a slip and fall accident at an Orland Park Walmart, our skilled legal team at MJB Law is ready to help. With years of experience handling claims against Walmart and other businesses, we will guide you through the legal process to present your case for damages. Don’t wait–contact us today for a free consultation to get started.