Why You Need a Lawyer After a Slip and Fall at Walmart

• January 10, 2025

With more than 4,700 stores across the United States, Walmart is one of the most visited retailers in the country. Its vast operations and high volume of shoppers mean accidents like slips, trips, and falls can and do happen. Whether it’s a wet floor, a misplaced product, or uneven flooring, hazardous conditions in Walmart stores can lead to serious injuries for unsuspecting customers.

If you’ve sustained injuries after falling at Walmart, you’re likely feeling overwhelmed and uncertain about what to do next. You may be facing unexpected medical bills, time away from work, and disruptions to your daily life. This is why you need a lawyer after a slip and fall at Walmart. An attorney can help you build a strong case for compensation, ensuring you aren’t left to shoulder the financial burden caused by someone else’s negligence. A slip and fall lawyer will fight to hold the at-fault parties accountable and pursue fair compensation for your losses.

Contacting a Detroit slip and fall accident lawyer for a free consultation is a great first step to protect your rights and start the claims process. Let’s break down the steps you should take after a fall in Walmart, the challenges you might face, and how an attorney can support your case.

Initial Steps After a Fall

After a slip and fall accident, you must take immediate action to protect your health and strengthen your personal injury claim. Acting quickly helps establish a clear record of what happened, making it harder for Walmart or its insurance company to dispute your claim.

Reporting the Incident

Always report a slip and fall to a Walmart employee or manager before leaving the store. Filing an official incident report ensures there’s documentation of your accident. Ask for a copy of the report or take note of the manager’s name and contact information for future reference. Avoid lengthy discussions or admitting any fault during this conversation, as this can later be used against you.

Documenting Evidence

The moments immediately following your fall can be critical for collecting evidence. Use your phone to take pictures of the hazard that caused your fall, whether it’s a spilled liquid, a broken shelf, or damaged flooring. Include photos of the surrounding area, any warning signs (or lack thereof), and the condition of your shoes or clothing. If witnesses saw the incident, ask for their contact information so they can provide statements if needed.

Seeking Medical Attention

Even if you think your injuries are minor, see a doctor as soon as possible. Some injuries may not be immediately apparent but can worsen over time. Medical records not only help you recover properly but also serve as key evidence in your claim by linking your injuries to the accident.

Common Challenges in Walmart Cases

Pursuing a claim against a major corporation like Walmart isn’t always straightforward. Walmart’s resources and policies can create hurdles for injury victims trying to secure compensation.

Dealing With Corporate Legal Teams

Walmart has its own team of attorneys and insurance adjusters whose primary goal is to minimize payouts. They may argue that you were at fault for your fall or that your injuries aren’t as severe as you claim. Without legal representation, you may find it difficult to counter these arguments.

Video Footage Retention Policies

Walmart stores are equipped with surveillance cameras that often capture slip and fall incidents. However, the store isn’t required to retain this footage indefinitely. If you delay in filing your claim, the video evidence could be erased. An attorney can send a preservation letter to ensure critical footage is saved.

Store Maintenance Records

Proving negligence may require access to Walmart’s cleaning and maintenance logs. These records can show whether staff failed to address hazards in a reasonable timeframe. However, obtaining these documents isn’t always easy. A lawyer knows how to request this information and use it to strengthen your case.

How a Lawyer Strengthens Your Case

When you're dealing with a slip and fall accident at Walmart, the legal process often involves more than simply filing a claim. Going up against a large corporation and its insurance company can feel intimidating. This is where an experienced Detroit slip and fall accident lawyer can make a significant difference. A slip and fall lawyer will guide you through the claims process, ensuring you build a solid case and push for fair compensation. Here’s how an attorney strengthens your case:

Evidence Collection

Building a strong slip and fall case relies on collecting convincing evidence that shows Walmart’s negligence caused your injuries. A lawyer knows how to gather and preserve the right types of evidence to support your claim. This could include:

• Surveillance Footage: Attorneys can formally request video recordings from Walmart’s cameras, which may have captured the moment of your fall or the unsafe condition that caused it.


• Maintenance Records: Walmart’s cleaning and inspection logs could reveal whether employees failed to address hazards in a timely manner.


• Witness Statements: If other shoppers or employees saw the incident, their accounts can provide valuable support for your claim.


• Expert Analysis: In some cases, attorneys may work with safety or medical professionals who can evaluate the circumstances and injuries involved, strengthening your position.

By collecting and organizing this evidence, a lawyer builds a case that’s harder for Walmart or its insurance adjusters to dispute.

Negotiation With Insurers

Insurance companies representing Walmart often try to limit payouts by undervaluing claims or denying liability altogether. They may argue that your injuries aren’t as severe as you claim or that you were responsible for the accident. Detroit slip and fall accident lawyers are skilled negotiators who can push back against these tactics. They’ll:

• Present evidence that supports your claim and counters the insurance company’s arguments.


• Advocate for a settlement that reflects the full extent of your damages, including medical costs, lost wages, and non-economic losses like pain and suffering.


• Hold the insurance company accountable if they refuse to offer a reasonable resolution, potentially filing a lawsuit if necessary.

By handling negotiations on your behalf, your attorney ensures you don’t feel pressured into accepting a lowball offer.

Damage Calculation

Determining the true value of your slip and fall claim requires more than adding up medical bills. An attorney evaluates all the ways your injury has affected your life, both now and in the future. They account for:

• Immediate and ongoing medical expenses, such as surgery, rehabilitation, and follow-up care.


• Wages lost due to time off work, as well as reduced earning potential if your injuries limit your ability to perform your job.


• The physical pain and emotional distress caused by the accident.


• Anticipated future costs related to your injuries, including long-term medical needs or accommodations.

Accurately calculating your damages prevents you from settling for less than you deserve.

Timeline Management

Filing a personal injury claim involves strict deadlines and legal procedures. Missing a deadline or filing incomplete paperwork could jeopardize your case. A lawyer ensures your case stays on track by:

• Keeping track of deadlines for filing claims, lawsuits, or notices.


• Preparing and submitting all required legal documents promptly and correctly.


• Responding to requests for information from the insurance company or opposing legal team.

By managing these timelines, your attorney helps avoid unnecessary delays or complications in the legal process.

With a lawyer advocating for you, your case becomes more robust and better equipped to withstand pushback from Walmart or its insurance company. An attorney’s role is not only to guide you through the legal process but also to fight for the compensation you need to recover from the financial and personal impact of your accident.

Compensation Available in a Slip and Fall Accident Claim

A slip and fall accident can lead to significant financial and personal losses. Your claim may include compensation for the following:

Medical Expenses

Medical bills are often the most immediate concern after a slip and fall injury. You can recover compensation for any medical treatment required as a result of the accident, including:

• Emergency room visits


• Hospital stays


• Doctor appointments


• Surgeries or procedures


• Prescription medications


• Physical therapy or rehabilitation


• Assistive devices such as crutches or wheelchairs

If your injuries require long-term care, your lawyer will work to ensure those future medical needs are included in your settlement or award.

Lost Wages

A slip and fall injury may force you to take time off work, leading to lost income. Your claim can include the wages you’ve already lost due to your injury, as well as any future earnings you’re unable to make if your injury impacts your ability to work. This could include diminished earning capacity if you’re unable to return to the same job or workload as before.

Pain and Suffering

Not all losses from a slip and fall accident can be measured in dollars and cents. Pain and suffering compensation accounts for the physical discomfort, emotional distress, and changes to your quality of life caused by the accident. For example:

• Chronic pain that limits your ability to participate in activities you once enjoyed


• Anxiety, depression, or trauma resulting from the accident


• Difficulty performing daily tasks due to ongoing physical limitations

These non-economic damages can be harder to quantify, but an attorney can help present evidence to support their inclusion in your claim.

Future Medical Needs

Some injuries from a slip and fall can have long-lasting effects, requiring ongoing treatment or adjustments to your daily life. Compensation can account for:

• Future surgeries or medical procedures


• Continued physical therapy


• Permanent medical equipment or home modifications


• Long-term care or nursing assistance, if necessary

An attorney will work with medical professionals to estimate the cost of these future needs and include them in your claim to ensure you’re covered for the long haul.

Maximizing Your Compensation

Each slip and fall case is unique, and the amount of compensation you’re entitled to will depend on the details of your accident and injuries. A slip and fall lawyer will thoroughly evaluate your case, identify all potential damages, and push for a settlement or court award that reflects the full extent of your losses.

Time Limitations for Personal Injury Claims

Filing a personal injury claim within the legal time limits is critical to recovering compensation. If you miss these deadlines, you may lose your right to file a lawsuit.

State-Specific Statutes

Each state has its own statute of limitations for personal injury claims. For example, in Michigan, you typically have three years from the date of your accident to file a claim. A lawyer can confirm the timeline in your state and ensure your claim is filed before the deadline.

Notice Requirements

Certain claims may require giving notice to the at-fault party or their insurer within a specific timeframe. Failing to do so could hurt your case.

Filing Deadlines

If Walmart or its insurance company drags out settlement negotiations, your lawyer will keep track of the filing deadline to ensure your lawsuit is filed in court before the statute of limitations expires.

Factors That Can Influence Your Compensation

Several factors determine the value of a slip and fall settlement. Understanding these elements can give you a clearer picture of what to expect.

Injury Severity

The seriousness of your injuries plays a major role in determining compensation. Severe injuries typically result in higher settlements to cover extensive medical treatment and long-term impacts.

Long-Term Impact

If your injuries affect your ability to work, perform daily tasks, or enjoy life as you did before the accident, this will increase the value of your claim. Permanent disabilities or chronic pain are especially significant factors.

Liability Evidence

The strength of your evidence showing Walmart’s negligence directly impacts your case. Clear video footage, witness testimony, and maintenance records can all help establish fault.

Contact a Walmart Slip and Fall Accident Attorney Now

At Goodman Acker PC, we understand the challenges that follow a slip and fall accident, especially when dealing with a corporate giant like Walmart. Our team is dedicated to protecting the rights of injury victims and securing the compensation they deserve. With decades of experience handling personal injury cases, we have the resources and commitment to take on even the toughest claims.

If you suffered injuries or losses in a slip and fall at Walmart, don’t wait to take action. Contact Goodman Acker PC for a free consultation to discuss your case. We’ll review the details of your accident, answer your questions, and outline your options for pursuing compensation.