Fort Lauderdale Walmart Slip-and-Fall Injury Lawyer

Cowen Edwards represents slip and fall accident victims in Fort Lauderdale. Every business in the city has a certain responsibility to keep you and other customers safe while you’re there. Whether this means cleaning up spills or keeping walkways clear, slip and fall hazards are still present at Walmart. If you’re hurt in one of these incidents, contact us today for a free consultation to talk about your options.

Why Do You Need a Lawyer?

When you’re in a slip-and-fall accident at a Walmart, it can be extremely frustrating and embarrassing. Most of the time, it could’ve been totally avoidable, meaning your injuries shouldn’t have happened.

While it’s certainly not ideal, it does give you legal options–if you want to take them. Hopefully, your injuries are only minor and won’t require legal action. However, the more hurt you are, the more you probably need our help. We offer comprehensive support by:

  • Explaining your rights and options
  • Gathering and analyzing evidence
  • Putting together a full investigation of the incident
  • Talking to witnesses
  • Negotiating with Walmart and their insurance company

Our aim is to simplify the process for you. Dealing with an injury is challenging, and managing the legal aspects can be overwhelming. Furthermore, we work on a contingency-fee basis, so there’s no upfront cost for our services.

What is the Claims Process in a Walmart Slip-and-Fall Accident?

The claims process that you have after you slip and fall in a Fort Lauderdale Walmart depends on the circumstances. You generally have two options for filing an injury claim:

  • An insurance claim
  • A personal injury lawsuit

Both options play out in very similar ways, with the main difference being that the insurance process is much less formal and is totally controlled by the insurance company. So, while it might give you faster access to a settlement, the company decides how much to offer you, and their number one goal is to pay out as little as possible. A lawsuit takes more time and effort, but gives you a more equitable chance at recovering certain damages, like:

  • Medical expenses
  • Lost wages
  • Pain and suffering
  • Property damage
  • Emotional distress
  • Loss of enjoyment of life
  • Legal fees

Each slip-and-fall case is unique, and outcomes depend on the specifics of the incident and the strength of your case. While the claims process can be complex, our experienced Fort Lauderdale slip and fall lawyers can help you navigate it, build a strong case, and get the financial support you need to recover. Remember, gathering evidence is crucial, so knowing what steps to take is essential.

What Should You Do After a Slip and Fall Accident at Walmart?

The reason it’s so important to respond in the right way after you slip and fall at Walmart is because it’s ultimately up to you to prove your case. As such, anything you do–or don’t do–could come into play. So, here’s a few things you should do after the accident:

  • Seek medical attention right away – First and foremost, take care of your health. Get first aid at the scene, then call an ambulance if you think your injuries are more serious. It’s also a good idea to get checked out at a hospital. Some injuries may not show up immediately but could pose problems later on. Keep all medical records, including bills and receipts.

  • Report the accident to Walmart staff or management – You’ll need to let Walmart know what happened as soon as possible. Provide them with a detailed account of what occurred, including where and how the accident happened, and any factors contributing to it. This makes them aware of the issues and should prompt them to fix it. Request that they document the incident or take down notes for yourself.

  • Document the scene – Use your phone or a camera to take photos or videos of the area where the incident occurred and any hazards present, such as wet floors or broken tiles. Take pictures from various angles and gather contact information from witnesses if possible. Additionally, ask about accessing security or video footage from Walmart’s surveillance system.

  • Keep your evidence – Retain any evidence, especially if personal property was damaged during the incident. This evidence can substantiate the impact of the accident on you. Refrain from repairing or altering any damaged items.

It’s important to follow these steps after a slip-and-fall, but if you’re unable to do so due to injuries or distress, seek assistance from someone else. With this taken care of, it gives you a better idea of what happened–and who’s responsible.

Is Walmart Always Liable For a Slip and Fall Accident?

Given that Walmart has an overriding responsibility to keep its customers safe, they’ll most likely carry at least a share of the liability for your injuries, meaning they’ll have to pitch in and pay for some of your damages. But even in a Walmart slip and fall accident, this isn’t always straightforward.

Generally speaking, there’s other factors in play, like:

  • Reason for being there – Why you’re at Walmart affects their responsibility for your safety. If you’re trespassing, Walmart’s duty to protect you is lower.
  • Walmart’s condition – The state of Walmart’s premises at the time of the accident is critical. If you slip on a wet floor Walmart knew about but didn’t fix, they’re likely responsible.
  • Awareness of hazards – If Walmart knew about a danger but didn’t do anything, they may be held liable.

Various parties might be responsible, including:

  • Walmart employees – If they knew about a hazard but didn’t act, they could share blame.
  • Third parties – Contractors responsible for maintenance might be at fault if they didn’t do their job properly.
  • Product manufacturers – If a product caused the fall, the manufacturer might be responsible.
  • Security companies – If poor security contributed, the security company might be responsible.

Identifying everyone responsible is key for your recovery. Our team can guide you through this. Always be alert for signs of danger and tell a Walmart employee right away if you see any. Walmart must keep the environment safe. If they don’t, you could have a slip-and-fall accident and get hurt. If that happens, though, you can count on our team for support.

Experienced Lawyers for Walmart Slip and Fall Accidents in Fort Lauderdale

Walmart offers great convenience for shoppers in Fort Lauderdale, but sometimes they fail to keep them safe. If you’re in a slip and fall accident at Walmart, our experienced team at Cowen Edwards is here to assist you. Contact us today to set up a free, no-obligation consultation to learn more.