Jury Awarded $10 Million to Woman Injured by a Rusty Nail in Walmart

Millions of people descend on big box stores such as Walmart over the holiday season. While most shopping trips are completed without incident, accidents in stores can and do happen. They can cause serious injuries and even deaths.

As personal injury lawyers, we represent people who end up hurt in box stores as well as other places such as hotels, restaurants, and malls. Under the law of premises liability, the owners and operators of these places hold a duty of care towards people they invite through their doors.

One of the most common ways guests suffer injuries is via slips and falls on slippery floors. However, there are many other hazards in box stores. Recently, Walmart was ordered to pay $10 million in damages to a woman who lost part of her leg when she stepped on a rusty nail in a store.

About the Case

The South Carolina-based media outlet The State, noted the major award by a jury in Florence County, S.C.

April Jones stepped on a nail in the main aisle of a Walmart store in Florence. She suffered a severe foot injury, according to a news release from Jones’ lawyers. Alarmingly, the injury caused an infection, which eventually resulted in three amputation surgeries. Jones sued the big box chain in 2017. The case came before a jury this month.

The shopper suffered a terrible ordeal due to a rusty nail that should not have been on the floor of this store. Doctors initially amputated her second toe. Later on, three more toes were amputated, leaving just her big toe. Her final, and most drastic, amputation was above her knee.

This tragic injury dramatically impacted Ms. Jones’ life. She has been confined to a wheelchair for three years. Her lawyers pointed out she is now forced to rely on her grownup children for help.

The Anastopoulo Law Firm said in a statement the monetary award will allow Ms. Jones to purchase a prosthetic, cover her medical expenses, and allow her to make handicap-accessible additions to her house.

Walmart said in a statement it is considering its legal options after the verdict. The company said it works hard to ensure that all customers have a safe experience while shopping.

Notwithstanding such reassurances, shoppers suffer injuries at stores more often than we realize. Slip and falls remain the most common cause of injuries. However, shoppers have been seriously hurt by falling merchandise, in some cases suffering traumatic brain injuries or spinal injuries.

Shoppers have suffered injuries due to defective carts, and poorly designed shelves. They have also sued stores over a failure to clear snow and ice outside the premises, resulting in slip and fall injuries. Hazardous walkways and poor lighting may also cause injuries.

Contact Us Today for Legal Help

At Cooper Hurley Injury Lawyers we have a dedicated premises liability team. These are often difficult cases that some Virginia law firms are reluctant to take on. We have published a book on premises liability and will carefully evaluate your case. Please call us as soon as you suffer an injury for a free consultation at (757) 231-6288.