Walmart uses incredibly competitive prices alongside an aggressive ad campaign to lure in customers to one of its over 4,000 locations in the United States. These tactics work, and they work well as the company reported a $3.6 billion profit for 2010. Despite the company’s popularity though, the store boasts a dark side as many people are injured in Walmart stores each year. Each store is essentially a giant warehouse full of products. When employees at these stores fail to keep the store premises safe to shoppers, accidents can occur.
If you or someone close to you has incurred a personal injury at a San Diego County Walmart location, speak with our experienced San Diego Walmart accident lawyers at the Law Office of Howard Kitay today. Our seasoned Walmart injury attorneys have the skills needed to take on these large corporations and recover the compensation you need in this difficult time.
Premises Liability and California State Law
Accidents and injuries that people experience as a result of unsafe conditions on another person’s property fall into a category of law called premises liability. The types of accidents that could occur due to an unsafe condition are truly vast, ranging from shelving toppling over to fire hazards. Among the types of accidents associated with premises liability cases, the slip and fall type accident remains the most common.
Under California state law, a business such as Wal-Mart may not allow a potentially dangerous condition to exist on their property and not do anything to correct it. Employees are required to take action to rectify any and all hazards that may arise within a reasonable amount of time. Failing to properly address unsafe conditions in a timely manner can result in serious personal injury to shoppers and the victim may seek monetary compensation via a personal injury claim. Seek the service of the experienced San Diego Walmart accident lawyers at the Law Office of Howard Kitay if you have been injured. Our aggressive San Diego personal injury attorneys have what it takes to take on even the largest of corporations, such as Wal-Mart, Costco, and Home Depot.
Sources of Injury and Hazards
While there are many different potential hazards that can cause personal injury to a Wal-Mart shopper, some remain more common than others. Below you’ll find a list of some injury sources for San Diego Wal-Mart accidents.
- Uneven sidewalks outside the store
- Wet, waxed, or slippery unmarked floors
- Produce or food left on the sales floor for an extended period of time
- Items falling from overhead shelves
- Displays that topple over
- Frayed carpeting
- Loose handrails
- Uneven stairs
- Employee negligence
To make a successful case for personal injury against large stores such as Walmart, several things must be proven. It must be illustrated that:
- Wal-Mart knew they had a dangerous condition and failed to rectify it
- Wal-Mart employees or the store created the hazard which caused the injury
- Wal-Mart should have taken proper measures or posted signage indicating a hazard existed
San Diego & El Cajon Walmart Accident Attorneys
Walmart stores are spread widely throughout the state of California. As of October 31, 2011, Walmart’s presence in California included 78 supercenters, 102 discount stores, 33 Sam’s Clubs, and 7 distribution centers. The total number of Walmart associates in California is 73,733.
The average wage of regular, full-time hourly associates in California is $12.69 per hour. Additionally, eligible associates receive an annual incentive based on the company’s performance.
With a population of approximately 3.5 million people in San Diego County, California, shopping trips to Walmart retail stores are done every day by thousands of Carlsbad, San Diego, El Cajon, and Chula Vista residents. San Diego residents think nothing of stopping by a Walmart retail store to pick up a few necessary items for the house and family. Rarely do we consider the fact that an accident or injury can occur during a routine excursion to the local Walmart. Unfortunately, it is a possibility that you may suffer an injury while in a San Diego, California Walmart store.
Injuries suffered in Walmart accidents can be caused by:
- Wet or slippery floors
- Falling merchandise
- Equipment accidents
- Improperly maintained shelving or displays
- Parking lot accidents
- Insufficient security
- Uneven flooring
- Sidewalk accidents
- Slip and fall accidents
- Unsecured rugs
- Assaults
- Poor lighting
Dangerous Walmart conditions can result from employees’ failure to post “wet floor” signs, failure to shovel and apply salt to slippery sidewalks, failure to clean up spills, and numerous other instances of negligence. If you or a loved one has been injured in a San Diego, California Walmart store accident we can meet with you at no charge, investigate your accident and provide experienced and results-driven legal help. For more information, contact our firm today at (619) 442-0542.
We understand the seriousness of falls and other accidents that happen in Walmart stores. A sudden fall can result in broken bones, head and neck injuries, brain injuries, and spinal cord injuries. If you or your loved one sustained injuries in a California Walmart store, obtain experienced legal help. Walmart store managers are trained to act quickly in limiting their exposure to liability. Evidence of an accident is often cleaned up immediately, photographs are prohibited and witnesses normally pulled away. Protect your legal rights and contact an experienced San Diego, California Walmart accident attorney to establish fault.
The San Diego County & El Cajon Walmart Accident Attorneys at the Law Offices of Howard Alan Kitay have successfully handled hundreds of premises liability cases, including numerous cases arising from unsafe conditions in Walmart retail stores. We can provide experienced and diligent legal help following accidents in California Walmart stores.
There are certain steps to take after a Walmart store accident:
- Report the accident to the store manager or to the customer service desk. The staff should ask the victim to fill out an accident report form. If no form is furnished, the victim should make sure that the incident is recorded in the store’s accident book. This will be used as proof that the accident really occurred.
- If there are witnesses to the accident, ask for their names and contact information.
- If possible, take a picture of the cause of the accident. A floor spillage, unattended pallet on the aisle or a fallen sign from the ceiling can be best documented by taking pictures of it. Having these pictures will increase the probability of winning your claim.
It can be especially challenging to sue over Walmart accidents because it is such a large corporation. Walmart has the money and liability insurance to cover even serious injuries, but they also have teams of attorneys whose job it is to fight legal claims. Even in cases where the store’s liability seems clear. It is important to talk to a California injury lawyer from the Law Offices of Howard Alan Kitay if you have been injured at a California Walmart. Our attorneys have over two decades of experience fighting for victims’ legal rights and can help you get the compensation you deserve. Call our office today at (619) 442-0542.
Expert Representation
After you or a loved one experiences a Wal-Mart accident, you’ll want the best legal representation possible in order to be fully compensated for the damages that you and your family have incurred. Wal-Mart accidents can potentially leave victims with catastrophic, life-changing injuries — you and your family will need a compensation figure that can last a lifetime. The seasoned El Cajon Walmart Accident Attorneys at the Law Office of Howard Kitay are here to offer you their professional services in this hard time. With over two decades of extensive litigation experience, top personal injury attorney Howard Kitay has the skills needed to make your case a success.
Over the years our firm has helped our clients recover millions of dollars in compensation. This fact alone illustrates that we are serious about seeking justice for our injured clients.
At the Law Office of Howard Kitay, our policy is that if we don’t win your case, you won’t pay anything. Contact us today at 619-442-0542 to set up a free no-hassle, no-fee consultation. Alternatively, you can file a free case report via e-mail and we will get back to you promptly.
You may be entitled to extensive compensation for you or a loved one’s injury or loss. We are here to help, please call or contact us today.
