When you go to shop at a retail store, you expect certain things. You expect that you will locate the items you want and then purchase them. You do not expect to be injured in the process. Property owners are legally responsible to make sure their store is safe for their patrons and employees. They must make sure that they correct any hazards that exist.
When someone is injured at a store as a result of slipping or falling, they may be eligible to file a slip-and-fall claim. In these types of matters, proving fault can be extremely difficult.
That is why contacting a slip and fall attorney after a fall to determine who is liable and to have your legal rights explained will help to ensure that the proper compensation is received if you do pursue a claim.
Wal-Mart is one company that has been the target of hundreds of lawsuits. USA Today reported that Wal-Mart is sued more often than any other American entity aside from the government. Having been the defendant in so many cases, Wal-Mart retains some of the top attorneys in the country to help them through their legal matters. They are one of the toughest opponents you can come up against, which is why it is important that you hire a lawyer with slip-and-fall experience who can help you navigate the difficult process.
What Causes Slip-and-Falls
There are a variety of factors that can cause slip-and-falls in Wal-Mart. These can include things such as:
Proving Fault in Slip-and-Fall Claims
Proving fault in these cases is particularly difficult because the plaintiff must show that the defendant knew or should have reasonably known about the hazard that caused the fall. In New Jersey, a property owner must be shown to have been negligent before there can be any liability.
The plaintiff must then either show that the owner was the cause of the hazard, they were aware of the danger yet did nothing to remedy the situation, or the property owner should have known that the hazard was present yet did not fix the problem.
Wal-Mart’s Legal Team and Tactics
Typically businesses and corporations want to settle as quickly and cheaply as possible, but this is not the case with Wal-Mart. The most important thing to know about them is that they are always willing to go to trial. USA Today stated that Wal-Mart prides itself on changing corporate litigation by rigorously fighting every case even when it could be more costly than settling out of court.
They very rarely settle cases out of court, and when they lose chances are they will appeal it no matter how big or small the case was. Their legal tactics lead back to practices put in place by founder Sam Walton, whose theory was that if the company felt that they weren’t at fault then the case should be brought to court, and if they were liable then a settlement should be made.
Call an Attorney Today
If you or someone you love was injured due to a slip-and-fall at Wal-Mart, you should seek the help and guidance of a skilled New Jersey slip and fall lawyer. The award-winning lawyers at Console & Hollawell have the experience and knowledge needed to investigate and win your slip-and-fall claim. They are not intimidated by Wal-Mart’s expensive legal team, and they are ready to fight for you. You cannot go up against this large corporation on your own, call us today to set up your free consultation at (866) 778-5500.
Source: http://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/2001/08/14/walmart-usat.htm
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