If you’re injured at Walmart in California, you should visit a doctor, file a report with the store, take photos of the accident scene, get contact information from witnesses, and reach out to a premises liability lawyer.
Taking on a large corporation like Walmart without representation can be difficult. If you were injured in a preventable accident at Walmart, a Los Angeles Walmart slip and fall accident lawyer from Sweet James can help you put together a strong claim and pursue a fair settlement.
What to Do If You Are Injured at a Walmart in California
The aftermath of a slip and fall can be overwhelming, but what you do next matters. If you are able, you should:
- Seek medical attention: You should see a doctor after a slip and fall, even if you feel fine. Seek emergency medical care at a hospital like Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center or Kaiser Permanente Los Angeles Medical Center, or visit a local urgent care clinic.
- File a report: Notify a Walmart manager or another employee about what happened. Ask them to prepare an incident report and request information about how to obtain a copy.
- Take pictures and videos: Photograph the hazard that caused your accident, your injuries, and the surrounding area.
- Collect witnesses’ information: Ask anyone who saw the accident or the dangerous condition for their name and contact information. Witness statements may help establish what happened and how long the hazard existed.
- Keep relevant evidence: Save your clothing, damaged personal belongings, medical records, prescriptions, and receipts for accident-related expenses.
- Be careful when speaking with Walmart representatives: Stick to the facts when discussing the accident. Avoid speculating about what happened or admitting fault.
- Contact a personal injury lawyer: A lawyer from Sweet James can investigate the accident, identify potentially responsible parties, and explain your options for pursuing compensation.
Who Can Be Liable for a Walmart Injury?
Several parties may be liable for a Walmart injury, depending on how it happened. Potentially responsible parties include:
- Walmart: The company may be liable if its employees failed to clean spills, conduct reasonable inspections, maintain safe walkways, or address known hazards.
- Third-party maintenance companies: Contractors hired to clean floors, repair equipment, or maintain the property may be responsible if their negligence created an unsafe condition.
- Product manufacturers: A manufacturer may be liable if a defective product or piece of equipment caused an injury.
- Merchandise suppliers or vendors: A vendor may share responsibility if its negligent handling or placement of merchandise created a hazard.
- Property owners or management companies: Depending on the location and ownership arrangements, another entity may be responsible for maintaining the building or parking lot.
A Walmart slip and fall accident attorney from Sweet James can analyze your premises liability case and identify every responsible party.
How Long Do I Have to File a Walmart Injury Lawsuit in California?
You typically have two years from the date of the accident to file a personal injury lawsuit against Walmart in California, according to CCP § 335.1. However, exceptions can apply in certain circumstances, such as if you experience delayed injuries.
If you don’t file your lawsuit before the applicable deadline expires, you will forfeit the right to pursue damages in Los Angeles Superior Court. A premises liability lawyer from Sweet James can help ensure that doesn’t happen.
Types of Compensation You Can Recover
If you have a valid slip and fall lawsuit, you may be entitled to compensation for economic and non-economic damages, such as:
- Medical expenses: You may recover compensation for emergency treatment, hospital stays, surgery, medication, physical therapy, and future medical care.
- Lost wages: You can seek reimbursement for income you lost while recovering from your injuries.
- Reduced earning capacity: You can pursue additional damages if your injuries prevent you from returning to your previous job or earning the same income.
- Pain and suffering: You can seek compensation for physical pain, discomfort, and the effects of your injuries on your daily life.
- Emotional distress: You may recover damages for anxiety, depression, and other emotional issues associated with the accident.
- Loss of enjoyment of life: You can pursue compensation for activities, hobbies, and experiences you can no longer enjoy because of your injuries.
- Punitive damages: You may be able to recover punitive damages in cases involving oppression, fraud, or malice from the defendant.
A premises liability attorney from Sweet James can help make sure none of your damages are left out of your claim.
Walmart Slip and Fall Injury FAQs
Some of the most common questions injury victims have after a slip and fall accident at Walmart include:
Does Walmart Have to Provide Its Security Camera Footage?
No, Walmart does not necessarily have to provide its security camera footage after an accident. However, an attorney from Sweet James can send a preservation request, and if you file a personal injury lawsuit, Walmart may be legally compelled to produce the footage during the discovery process.
Can I File a Claim If I Didn’t Report the Accident Right Away?
Yes, you can still file a claim against Walmart if you didn’t report the accident right away. As long as the applicable personal injury statute of limitations hasn’t expired, you have the right to pursue a claim. However, reporting the incident as soon as possible can help preserve evidence and establish a record of what happened.
What If Walmart Denies Responsibility for My Injuries?
If Walmart denies responsibility for your injuries, you can still pursue a claim. A lawyer from Sweet James can help by sending a spoliation letter to Walmart and gathering evidence such as accident scene photos, medical records, and witness testimony.
Get Help from a Slip and Fall Accident Lawyer
You should not have to shoulder the financial consequences of someone else’s negligence. If you were injured in an accident at Walmart in California, a slip and fall lawyer from Sweet James can assist with your claim, deal with the insurance company, and fight for the compensation you are entitled to.
Schedule a free case evaluation to learn more about your legal options.
