It is easy to suffer an injury while in a store. If you suffered an injury while at Walmart, or any other store, you may want to consider filing a personal injury claim.
Dog Food Spill Leads to Fall
A Missouri consumer went to have a key made at the Walmart store in Poplar Bluff, Missouri on September 19, 1988. As he returned toward the front of the store to leave, he went up a pet food aisle where he slipped and fell on dog food that had spilled on the floor.
As he fell, he grabbed onto a shelf to try to catch himself and knocked off several cans of cat food. When he hit the floor, cans of cat food were underneath his lower back. He experienced pain, numbness, and tingling immediately. The court ruled for the plaintiff in the amount of $540,000.
Employees testified that a product spill on another aisle had been cleaned up earlier in the night, but it was a different kind of dog food. An employee testified that they did not see any food spilled on the aisle five minutes before the consumer's fall and that he was the only person who had been on the aisle during that timeframe.
However, the plaintiff had not suffered neck or back problems prior to the fall and doctors testified the problems were a result of the fall in Walmart, according to Findlaw**.
Determining the Amount of the Settlement
When the consumer went to the emergency room on the night of the fall, he was told he was suffering muscle spasms and was prescribed muscle relaxers. He missed several weeks of work and continued to suffer pain even after returning to his job duties.
During the next six years, the consumer saw several different doctors for his back pain. It was later determined he had suffered a disc herniation in the lumbar region and bulging discs in the neck, which led to the muscle spasms.
It was also believed he suffered spinal cord compression. While the condition was operable, the likelihood of successful surgery was minimal. The original judgment was for $716,752, but the court found the plaintiff to be partially at fault for the accident and adjusted the award accordingly.
Consult with a Personal Injury Attorney
If you suffered an injury at Walmart, or any other store, and you believe it was because of the store's negligence, you should consult with a personal injury attorney. A personal injury claim is complicated, and almost all cases have to go to court. Personal injury lawyers aren't paid until you have won your claim, so you have no upfront expense.
You should schedule a consultation right away to ensure your rights are protected.
**Case Taken from Findlaw: caselaw.findlaw.com/mo-supreme-court/1243386.html
*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.
