Hundreds of millions of customers enter Walmart stores every week. The company has more than 11,000 stores worldwide, and nearly 5,000 of those are in the United States. It’s the world’s largest company in revenue, and it’s also the world’s largest employer. In and around Tampa, there are at least a dozen Walmart stores. With this many stores, slip and fall accidents happen every day.
Walmart Knows About Slip and Falls
You could be doing something as simple as pushing a shopping cart down a Walmart aisle and glancing at the product that you’re reaching for on the shelf, and suddenly, one or both of your feet can fly out from under you. Then, you land on a very hard walking surface. It happens every day in the United States, and given the number of Walmart stores in the country, it probably happens at Walmart stores more often than any other retail store.
What to Do After a Slip and Fall at a Tampa Area Walmart
The first thing that you need to do is to ask another shopper or an employee to get the store manager so you can make a report. If you feel that you’re injured seriously, ask the manager to call paramedics, and have them transport you to the nearest emergency room. Even if you believe that you only have minor aches and pains, don’t shrug your shoulders and ignore them. They could be signs of major issues, especially if you suffered any type of blow to the head. Follow all instructions when you’re discharged from the emergency room. Walmart will be looking to see if you did. If you don’t follow those instructions, they’re going to argue that you’re not injured to the extent that you claim.
Claims Management, Inc. (CMI)
State law doesn’t allow you to recover damages simply because of the fact that you fell in a Walmart and suffered injuries. You’re required to prove that Walmart was negligent. Walmart is self-insured, and it even has its own claims company known as Claims Management, Inc. That’s who you’ll be up against, and you’ll be up against CMI’s attorneys if you file a personal injury lawsuit. They defend Walmart in personal injury lawsuits for a living. You’re going to need an experienced, respected and skilled Tampa slip and fall lawyer to recover the settlement or award that you deserve.
Never Give CMI a Statement
You can expect that a CMI representative will be phoning you soon after your accident “just to see if you’re feeling better and to get your side of the story.” Never give anybody from CMI or anywhere else any type of a written or recorded statement. No matter what that individual says, state law doesn’t require you to give him or her any type of a statement. If you do, it’s highly likely that you’re going to significantly devalue your own claim.
Delaying Your Claim
When you’re trying to resolve your claim through CMI, you can expect unreturned phone calls and unanswered emails. CMI wants you to fall in arrears with your medical and personal bills. It’s all part of an effort to make you desperate so that you settle cheap.
Call a Local Attorney After an Injury in Walmart
CMI adjusters know that on your own, you stand little or no chance, but with the representation of Hancock Injury Attorneys representing you from the onset, you can be confident in the attorneys advocating on your behalf. Rather than giving CMI that statement, protect and invoke your rights. Contact us right away after any Walmart slip and fall to arrange for a free confidential consultation and case review.