Slip and fall accidents are some of the most common types of accidents, as they can happen literally anywhere. Commonly, they are caused by a slippery floor surface or one that is uneven or has something lying on it which is not easily noticed.
In many cases, these sorts of accidents are not just painful or inconvenient. They can cause financial hardship if the injury is serious. They may result in unexpected medical bills and lost wages if the injury is too severe to go back to work straight away.
You may be able to claim compensation if a slip and fall injury such as a broken arm resulted from someone else’s negligence. It is always preferable to discuss your accident with a knowledgeable personal injury attorney before filing a claim.
How a Broken Arm Could Happen
It is quite possible that you could slip and fall over. Many superstores are very busy and also very large. Employees are under pressure to do their job, but may not always be quick to rectify a potential safety hazard.
Sometimes, this is because they just don’t have time, or they haven’t been told how important it is to deal with something like a spillage. They may not even think that a hazard exists or that it is worth dealing with at all.
If you happen to be looking at products at a deli, but fail to notice that the floor is covered in some kind of goo you could easily fall over. Sudden slip and fall events can easily result in broken bones.
It is typical for someone who is startled and slips to put their arm out to cushion the fall. That’s why broken arms are common slip and fall injuries.
Claiming Compensation After Breaking an Arm
You typically cannot claim compensation if an injury was entirely your fault, but you can usually claim compensation if the fault was the store's if the accident happened in a superstore.
The premises liability laws vary from state to state, and there are some states where even if you were partly to blame for an accident, you could still claim compensation.
Generally, a personal injury attorney would advise you not to admit fault in any way if you intend to claim compensation as this may diminish your payment.
Claiming compensation through a personal injury claim should include all medical expenses as well as any lost earnings and in many cases a pain and suffering component. In some accidents, this component can be substantial.
For a claim to succeed, you must have proof that someone in the store, or the management, acted in a negligent way and that this negligence caused your broken arm.
For example, if there was a spilled liquid on the floor, but the spill had been there for more than an hour and that nothing had been done to mop it up, then this may be regarded as negligence.
Eye witness reports, a report from your doctor and invoices for all treatment received will help your case.
Contact a Personal Injury Attorney If Considering Making a Claim
An experienced personal injury attorney will advise you whether you stand a chance of suing the store following a slip and fall accident on their premises.
Their insurers will not be keen on paying compensation, but your attorney will know how to make your case against the company using any evidence you have available.
Additional Resources
*Disclaimer: The content of this article serves only to provide information and should not be construed as legal advice. If you file a claim against Walmart, or any other party, you may not be entitled to any compensation.
