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Many individuals, families, and businesses enjoy Sam’s Clubs in Georgia for their bulk shopping options and wholesale prices. But the large floor plans and huge stock means there are more opportunities for patrons to get hurt on the premises. And when someone is injured from a slip and fall accident at Sam’s Club, the store is unlikely to be helpful or willing to pay out a claim. That’s why, if you fell and were hurt in one of these stores, it’s best to reach out to a Sam’s Club slip and fall accident and injury lawyer in Georgia.
Our slip and fall lawyers at John Foy & Associates are here to help. You need a legal professional who has the experience and resources to handle claims against big stores like Sam’s. We have spent more than 20 years helping injury victims get the compensation they deserve, and we know what’s required to win these types of cases. To talk details and how we can assist you with your claim, call us for a FREE consultation today at 404-400-4000.
How Sam’s Club Handles Slip and Fall Accident Claims in Georgia
Sam’s Club is owned by the same people as Wal-Mart, and both companies handle personal injury claims in a different way than other stores. Normally, a store will have an insurance provider that handles injury claims for the store. If the store is found negligent in a slip and fall accident, their insurance company would pay out the money for a victim’s damages.
But Sam’s Club has its own liability company (Claims Management, Inc., also known as CMI), which means they personally handle insurance claims against them. Since it’s like the money is coming out of their own pocket, Sam’s Club is going to be very resistant to paying out any money. The entire purpose of having their own company for handling claims is to avoid paying them.
What Happens After You File a Claim Against Sam’s Club
When you file a claim against Sam’s Club after a slip and fall accident in Georgia, they can use any number of tactics to deny or delay your claim. In fact, right after your accident and before you even file anything, an insurance adjuster with CMI will likely call you. They might:
- Ask how you’re doing
- Express concern about your situation
- Say they’re just trying to help
- and/or ask you to give a recorded statement about your accident
Don’t trust any of this. Insurance adjusters, especially those for a huge company like Sam’s Club, are simply searching for ways to blame you, downplay your injuries, and discredit your claim. Even if you say you’re “fine” or “okay” out of politeness after being asked how you are, the insurance company could use this to claim you aren’t actually hurt that badly. And if you give a recorded statement, they will have a record of something they can use to deny your claim.
Also, never give any recorded statement or agree to sign anything for the insurance company. You do not have to do this, even if the insurance person makes you feel like you should. In fact, it’s really best to call a Sam’s Club slip and fall accident and injury lawyer in Georgia before you communicate with the insurance company at all.
Once you have an experienced lawyer, they can talk to the insurance adjuster on your behalf so you don’t get taken advantage of when you’re hurt and just trying to cover your costs. Talking to a lawyer who understands these types of cases is one of the first things you should do after a slip and fall accident in a Georgia store.
Don’t Handle a Sam’s Club Slip and Fall Claim Alone
Reading this might make you worry there’s no chance of winning anything after a slip and fall injury in Sam’s Club, but it is possible—you just need to be prepared.
And the law is on your side here. Under Georgia code O.C.G.A. 51-3-1, a property owner is liable for damages to anyone injured on their property because of “failure to exercise ordinary care” in maintaining safe premises. That means if Sam’s Club (or an employee there) did not exercise this caution in their store and it led to your slip and fall accident, they can be liable for your costs.
This is why Sam’s Club and CMI will look for ways to blame you or say they had no part in your accident. But slip and fall accidents rarely happen out of nowhere. They are usually a result of negligence, and often it’s because a store employee failed in their duty to protect a customer from harm.
To have a successful case against Sam’s Club, you will need to show that:
- They were negligent (meaning they did or did not do something that put you in harm’s way in their store).
- Their negligence led to your accident and injuries.
- You have damages because of the injuries caused by their negligence.
To do this, you need a law firm that is experienced enough to handle a claim against a huge company like Sam’s. A great Sam’s Club slip and fall accident and injury lawyer in Georgia will be able to fight the battle for you. They will also be prepared for any and all tactics used by CMI—from the moment you call them for help.
Filing a Lawsuit Against Sam’s Club in Georgia
As we’ve said, Sam’s Club is amazingly greedy about paying out money to someone who was injured on their premises. While most personal injury claims are settled out of court through negotiation, a case against Sam’s Club is more likely to proceed to a lawsuit.
If CMI won’t agree to a slip and fall settlement that is actually fair to you, your lawyer may advise filing a lawsuit against them. This can help encourage the company to be more lenient with how much they offer. You’ll either get a better settlement offer or continue onto court in pursuit of the money you deserve. With a trusted slip and fall lawyer experienced in these types of cases on your side, your chances will never be better.
Talk to a Sam’s Club Slip and Fall Accident and Injury Lawyer in Georgia for Free
John Foy & Associates is prepared to fight hard for your right to compensation after a slip and fall injury in Sam’s Club. Our Georgia law firm has grown over the past 20 plus years of practice to be one of the most trusted and well-known firms in the state. Working with us is risk-free because we don’t take a fee unless we win you money. To get started with a FREE consultation right away, call us today at 400-400-4000, or fill out our contact form.
