Jury awards $7.5 million in Walmart slip and fall lawsuit case. Georgia residents may have read media reports about a man who was awarded $7.5 million in damages after filing a slip and fall lawsuit against Walmart. The 61-year-old Alabama man sued the big-box retailer on claims of wantonness and negligence after breaking his hip ...
The man claims that he fell when he turned to walk away from the display after picking up a watermelon.
The man’s attorneys say that Walmart should have covered the pallet to protect shoppers from injury. A Walmart representative said that the company plans to file an appeal. Walmart says that the pallets, which are delivered to stores prepackaged and ready for display, are still in use and pose no threat to shoppers.
Phenix City man sues Walmart after fall, awarded $7.5 million. A Phenix City man was awarded $7.5 million after he fell getting a watermelon at a local Walmart store. A Russell County jury decided Thursday that Henry Walker should receive the payout from Walmart Stores Inc. after a days-long negligence trial.
We plan to appeal.". Walker was represented by attorneys O'Hara, Charles Gower, and David Rayfield; Walmart was represented by Paul Russell Jr. and Stanley Sasser.
Walmart had a duty to "exercise reasonable care, to maintain and keep its premises in a reasonable safe condition, and to warn the public of unsafe and hazardous conditions," the negligence claim in the complaint states .
Court records state Walker was visiting the Phenix City Walmart, located at 3700 Highway 280, in June 2015. Walker reached for a watermelon in a container, but tripped and his foot got stuck in a wooden pallet on the floor. He fell and suffered several injuries, including a broken hip.
Yesterday's jury verdict states Walker will be awarded $2.5 million in compensatory damages and $5 million in punitive damages, totaling a payout of $7.5 million. O'Hara said before the fall, Walker played basketball three days a week with several of his friends. Now, the Army veteran has to use a walker.