Walmart Slip and Fall Lawsuits

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Walmart Slip and Fall Lawyers in Chicago, Illinois

Wet Floor Slip and Fall Injury Lawsuits, Lawyers and Settlements

Water and other liquids can make a linoleum floor very, very hazardous. Linoleum floors can be slippery to begin with. The shine on a linoleum floor conceals pooled water and other clear liquids creating a dangerous situation. Slips and falls on wet linoleum floor potentially lurk around every corner. Linoleum floors are everywhere: supermarkets, big box retail stores, bathroom floors, restaurant floors, hospitals, nursing homes, dentists and doctors’ offices, and convenience stores are places commonly outfitted with linoleum floors. If you slipped and fell on a linoleum floor because of water or other liquids collecting on the floor, then the owner or operator of the business may be liable to you for damages.

The owners of a building, the operators of a business, or even people in their own home, must protect the people who use these premises from injury.  Owners of a premises, a supermarket, for instance, owe you a duty to protect you from known hazards or hazards about which they should have known through the exercise of due diligence. They do not have to protect you from conditions that are open and obvious or completely unknowable to them or from hazards you personally created. A lot can go wrong if they do not.

Premises owners or business operators should not have to look too hard for areas that water or other liquids can accumulate on linoleum floors.  They should pay close attention to:

  • Entrances and exits and other places where people can bring in the elements with them.
  • Areas with sinks and drains are other places where water can accumulate.
  • Water or other liquid can collect on the floor near ice machines, drink dispensers, and water fountains.
  • Locations near coolers and ice machines are also prime locations for liquid pooling. Store owners and operators of other facilities should be aware of the potential for danger in these areas.
  • They should be ready to mark the area and perhaps re-route customers around the spill.
  • They must thoroughly clean the area to ensure that all liquid was removed and the floor is not only dry but not slippery either.

Store owners obligation to guard against slips and falls extends beyond cleaning spills. Insufficient slip prevention methods such as improper placement of area rugs in entryways where customers can clean their shoes, insufficient use of anti-slip mats, and clogged drains where water is likely to pool are evidence that a business owner is not protecting their customers. The prevention of water build up from people tracking in the weather begins with taking appropriate measures outside. Sidewalks and parking lots should be cleared during snowstorms. Drains and run-offs should be clear and free of debris to reduce the chance of large puddles forming during rainstorms. Damaged, uneven or worn flooring also presents a slipping hazard. Runners and floor mats should be securely fastened to the floor, so they do not move and of sufficient length to permit people to dry their shoes upon entering the premises. Mats and Runners should be in good repair and replaced if worn or damaged. Additionally, inadequate lighting can be dangerous. Inadequate lighting can cast shadows on the floor and prevent people from observing defects on the linoleum floor they might otherwise see.

Failure to take preventative measures can cause serious, and sometimes fatal, injuries from slipping and falling. Falls can cause broken bones in the legs, hips, and arms, muscle pulls and ligament tears, in addition to concussions, cuts, and abrasions.  Fatal injuries can happen from a person’s head striking the floor or another object with sufficient force.

Our Slip And Fall Injury Lawsuit Attorneys Ready To Hold Those Accountable For Your Injuries

The slip and fall law firm of Stein & Shulman, LLC has experienced lawyers who have represented clients after falls on linoleum floors. They will fight to win you the compensation you deserve. Do not settle for less. Learn how you can protect your rights by making an appointment with Stein & Shulman today by calling 312.422.0500 or complete our on-line contact form to schedule a free consultation. There is no fee unless we are successful on your behalf.

Stein & Shulman, LLC
134 N LaSalle St #820
Chicago, IL 60602
Phone: 312.422.0500
Fax: (312) 422-0505
Hours: Open today · Open 24 hours
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Additional Reading:

https://www.cdc.gov/niosh/docs/2011-123/pdfs/2011-123.pdf

Wiegman v. Hitch-Inn Post of Libertyville, 721 NE 2d 614 – Ill: Appellate Court, 2nd Dist. 1999