Premises Liability Claim Involving Banana Filed Against Walmart
May 13, 2016
A seemingly minor slip-and-fall accident may lead to major problems for a customer in Pennsylvania. In another state, a woman claimed she suffered injuries in a slip-and-fall accident at a Walmart. She has thus filed a premises liability claim against the retail giant.
The woman alleged that while she was shopping at the store one day, she ended up slipping on a banana peel. According to her lawsuit, the fall caused her to injure her ankle. She also suffered injuries to her right knee.
The woman in the suit claimed that Walmart had a duty to offer its customers a safe environment for shopping. However, it reportedly breached this duty. Thus, the retail store is being blamed for the woman’s alleged injuries and medical costs. In her lawsuit, which alleges premises liability as well as negligence, the woman is seeking compensatory damages and a jury trial. She is also seeking litigation costs and interest.
When a business in Pennsylvania fails to uphold its responsibility to provide a safe environment for patrons, it may be held liable in civil court. A preponderance of the evidence is necessary to establish liability to the satisfaction of the court. Only then will claims for monetary damages be decided. Monetary compensation cannot undo the events that lead to potentially permanent injuries in a slip-and-fall accident. However, a damage award in a premises liability case may help the victim to cover his or her health care costs, the loss of wages and other losses suffered as a result of the incident.