Why Suing a Big Box Store is Challenging
Big box stores like Walmart, Target, and Home Depot are usually packed on weekends as consumers flock to the stores to enjoy the wide selection of goods at reasonable prices. These stores have grown incredibly powerful over the past 30 years, forcing smaller Mom and Pop stores out of business. Anyone visiting a big box store can be injured in familiar ways, such as in a slip and fall or trip and fall. You might even be struck by falling merchandise.
Suing a big box store is a challenge. These stores spend millions of dollars each year to fight off legal claims, and they employ some of the largest law firms in the Southeast. Contact Snyder Heitman LLC to discuss your accident and find out what step to take first.
These Stores Aggressively Defend Themselves
Because they serve so many customers, the largest retailers tend to have the most legal claims against them. Customers are hurt when they trip or slip and strike their head on the ground.
Big box stores like Walmart and Costco have responded by hiring gigantic insurance companies and law firms to defend them. They will aggressively review any claim for compensation and deny a claim if they feel it isn’t supported by evidence.
Many victims imagine that the store will happily offer a fair settlement, especially when they are at fault for failing to mop up spilled liquids or provide adequate security. But these stores try to pay as little as possible.
Evidence is Not Always Available
Big box stores typically have cameras all over the place, both inside the store and in the parking lot. These cameras could record your accident, which provides irrefutable proof of what happened. For example, if you slipped on a puddle of water in the grocery aisle at Walmart, then the video can help build a claim.
Unfortunately, some stores are not eager to turn over video evidence. They might claim it is “sensitive” evidence related to the company’s anti-theft policies. (After all, that’s why they install cameras: to catch thieves.) Or the video is quickly overwritten or otherwise erased and lost forever.
Work with an attorney. We can demand that the store preserve video and other evidence.
You Might Not Know Who to Sue
Some big box stores have tenants, such as optometrists or tax preparers who rent out space. If you are injured in one of those areas, then Walmart might claim they aren’t responsible. That isn’t technically the case; they often retain liability even if they have a tenant. But injured victims might not know they can usually sue Walmart as well.
Speak with a Spartanburg Premises Liability Lawyer
Snyder Heitman LLC built our reputation fearlessly representing injured clients. Our Spartanburg premises liability lawyers are unafraid to seek compensation when a client is hurt inside Walmart, Costco, Target, or some other big box retailer. Call us to schedule a free, no risk consultation. Our goal is to maximize your take-home compensation following an accident. We serve those in Spartanburg, as well as Greenville and Upstate South Carolina.