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Man Wins $7.5 Million Against Walmart

Posted by Jess A. Lorona | May 18, 2019 | 0 Comments

It is a property owner's responsibility to keep up the property. The property must be safe for its occupants. The concept of a “property owner” doesn't mean private property. It also applies to public property. For example, the public sidewalk is actually owned by the city. The city is legally obligated to maintain its city's sidewalks as well as other public areas. The same for big companies like Target or Walmart. Whatever store you are in, big chain or a local business, the owners have the duty to keep the store safe and reasonably clean. Our Phoenix premises liability lawyers at Lorona Mead want you to know that injury caused by lack of upkeep is a breach of duty of care. That breach is a liability. Don't suffer your injuries without holding the responsible party accountable.

The Walmart Story

Every now and then we hear about someone winning the lottery. It's always a bittersweet moment. You want to feel good for the person, but then you get upset because it should have been you. A man who won a case against Walmart is much like winning the lottery. It doesn't happen often, but when it does it is bittersweet.

The man was shopping for watermelons. The watermelon container was set on top of a pallet. The man did not see the pallet, stepped toward the container, and reached in for the watermelon. He did not step onto the pallet. Instead when he moved closer to the container his foot unknowingly got caught in the pallet. When he turned to put the watermelon in the cart he felt his foot caught and fell hard. He suffered several injuries including a broken hip. Other grocery stores in the area use pallet guards to prevent people from getting their feet stuck. Walmart did not use the guards. During the trial, the man's attorney showed a video of multiple people getting tripped up by the pallet yet no employee tried to change the situation.

At the end of the trial, the jury awarded the man $2.5 million in damages and $5 million in punitive damages totalling to $7.5 million. Walmart is a giant corporation that deals with thousands of people in their stores every day. They should be aware of situations like this that can cause harm to people who shop at their store. Part of being a good business is ensuring that people are safe in your store. The man stated that no one expects to buy a watermelon and come out in a stretcher.

What To Do

Ensuring safety in Phoenix Premises Liability and upholding the duty of property owners requires proactive measures to create a secure environment for all visitors. To achieve this, property owners should prioritize the following actions.

First and foremost, regular inspections are crucial to identify potential hazards or maintenance issues on both public and private Premises Liability. By conducting thorough inspections, property owners can promptly address problems such as uneven walkways, damaged flooring, inadequate lighting, or any other conditions that could pose a risk to visitors.
Prompt maintenance and repairs are essential once hazards or maintenance issues are identified. Property owners should take immediate action to fix broken steps, repair leaky pipes, replace damaged flooring, or ensure proper lighting in dimly lit areas. By addressing these issues promptly, they mitigate potential risks and create a safer environment.

There are so many ways a person can get injured while on someone's property. Dealing with an injury is no fun. Dealing with an injury knowing it could have been avoided is infuriating. Let our Phoenix Premises Liability Attorneys at Lorona Mead take care of the details while you recover. Call (602) 385-6825 or click here to start your journey to success with our professional attorneys at Lorona Mead in Phoenix today. We know how to fight hard for our clients.

About the Author

Jess A. Lorona

Partner

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The Lorona | Mead legal team has over 50 years of combined experienced in DUI & Criminal Defense , personal injury, civil, and family law, serving the people of Phoenix and the surrounding areas.

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