Slip and fall accidents can result in a range of injuries, from very minor to serious and severe. Shoppers in a Walmart parking lot or on a sidewalk outside of the building can fall on a patch of ice or snow and suffer an injury in a matter of seconds. More serious injuries can leave an innocent shopper wounded for months or even permanently impaired. Common injuries that result from slipping and falling on ice are herniated discs, broken bones, traumatic brain injury, and countless others. If you are unsure whether your level of injury qualifies you to receive compensation from Walmart, the Northbrook legal team at Stein & Shulman is standing by to discuss the details of your matter with you.
Why Hire a Lawyer for Your Slip and Fall Accident?
Every snow and ice incident is different, and a person’s ability to receive compensation for their medical bills, pain and suffering, and lost wages depends on specific details. Illinois law is very particular in regards to the restrictions it places on an injured person’s ability to hold a property owner such as Walmart liable. As an investigator, analyst, negotiator, and protector of your rights, each of our qualified personal injury attorneys is equipped and eager to handle any slip-and-fall case that is presented to them.
Don’t risk battling large corporations and insurance companies alone and walk away having spent money and not received anything in return. Our skilled Northbrook legal team will give you the confidence and comfort you need to combat Walmart’s legal team to ensure you don’t get stuck with hospital expenses while you may or may not be able to work.
Walmart’s Liability for Slip and Fall Injury
A distinction in Illinois exists that may allow or curtail a person to file a claim against Walmart for slipping and falling on their premises. The distinction lies in how the water was deposited onto the pavement or asphalt in the parking lot or on the sidewalk. If the water was naturally deposited by rain that later froze, a blizzard, hail storm, or any other form of weather accumulation, Walmart is not likely liable for injuries sustained.
On the other hand, if a drainage pipe is cracked or another form of system defect caused water to unnaturally be deposited onto an area people use, Walmart may be liable for damages incurred. In short, a property owner does not have the duty to shovel snow or salt roads or sidewalks, nor are they liable for snow that has been compacted by shoppers walking on it repeatedly.
You may be wondering about the interior space of Walmart’s stores and what happens if you slip or fall in the entryway. A puddle formed from snow that was trucked into the store and fell off people’s boots is considered natural accumulation and does not fall under the liability umbrella.
Contact a Northbrook Snow and Ice Slip and Fall Attorney to Discuss Recovery Options
Contact the slip and fall attorneys at Stein & Shulman to see if your type of injury qualifies you for compensation to receive help with the pain you have suffered on Walmart’s property. To schedule your free consultation with our attorneys, call 312.422.0500.
