Slipping and falling at a big store like Walmart is scary. You’re shaken up and may be seriously hurt. While not every fall leads to a payout, you do have rights. If Walmart’s negligence caused your injuries, you may be eligible for compensation.
But what you do in the hours and days after the accident matters a lot. The wrong moves can hurt your case.
At DP Injury Attorneys in San Diego, our slip and fall lawyers are here to guide you through this, step by step. We’ll fight to hold Walmart accountable and get you the maximum compensation possible. The key is acting quickly and protecting your rights. Here’s where to start.
Your well-being is the number one priority after an accident. Falling can cause serious injuries that may not be obvious right away, like concussions or torn ligaments. Don’t brush it off, even if you feel okay in the moment. Go to the doctor or ER to get checked out.
Some key steps:
Getting proper care creates a record of your injuries and sets you up to heal properly. It also helps your injury claim later. Keep copies of all medical bills and documents.
If you’re able to, report your slip and fall to Walmart right away. Find a manager or security guard and tell them what happened. Be brief and stick to the facts – say you fell, you’re injured, and you plan to see a doctor.
Try to get the following info:
Don’t apologize, downplay your injuries, or say the fall was your fault. The store may use your words against you later. If you’re too hurt to report it, that’s okay. Focus on your health. An attorney can notify the store later.
Your cellphone is a powerful tool for documenting the accident. If you’re able to safely do so, snap pictures of:
This evidence can vanish quickly as the store cleans up or injuries heal. Capture it ASAP after the fall. It will help show what happened and the store’s role in your accident.
After reporting your slip and fall, Walmart may ask you to make a recorded statement. It’s best not to do this without speaking to a lawyer first. Walmart isn’t on your side, sadly. They may try to use your words to avoid responsibility. Politely decline to make a formal statement and direct further talks to your attorney. The same goes for their insurance company if they reach out.
We know you want to update family and friends. But it’s smart to stay off social media after an injury accident. The other side is watching. Posting pics of you out and about after a slip and fall can hurt your case, even if you’re still hurting. They’ll argue you aren’t that injured. Best to lay low online until your case is resolved.
Walmart is a huge corporation with an army of lawyers. To get fair compensation, you’ll need your own experienced slip and fall attorney. Look for one who has gone up against big retailers before and won’t back down. Most injury lawyers offer free consultations and work on contingency. That means no upfront fees. They only get paid if they recover money for you.
At your consultation, bring all evidence you’ve gathered, like incident reports, medical records, photos, and witness info. Your attorney will ask for details on what happened and how your injuries have impacted your life. Be open and honest. Then, they’ll explain your legal options and next steps.
A good slip and fall lawyer will:
You have enough to worry about after an injury. An experienced attorney can shoulder the legal burden for you and work to get the best possible outcome.
Walmart has a duty to keep its property safe for shoppers. When they fail in this duty, and people get hurt, they need to be held accountable. The slip and fall attorneys at DP Injury Attorneys are determined to see this happen. No case is too complex for us to handle. We combine skilled negotiation with aggressive litigation to stand up to big companies and get results.
If you or a loved one has been injured from a slip and fall at a Walmart or other store in San Diego, we’re here for you. You deserve support and compensation during this difficult time. Contact our office today for a free consultation. Together, we’ll work to make you whole again.
Arthur Paul D’Egidio is the Managing Partner of DP Injury Attorneys, a San Diego personal injury law firm. With more than 12 years of experience in California injury law, he has dedicated his practice to representing clients in a wide range of personal injury matters, including car accidents, workers’ compensation, slip and falls, catastrophic injury, and wrongful death cases.
Arthur received his Juris Doctor from the Thomas Jefferson School of Law and is a member of the State Bar of California as well as the San Diego County Bar Association. He has received numerous accolades for his work, including being named a Super Lawyer for seven straight years by Thomson Reuters and a “Top 40 Under 40” by the National Trial Lawyers.
