In a gripping legal battle that highlights the perils of everyday shopping, a West Palm Beach resident has taken on one of the largest retail giants in the world. Barbara J. Walker filed a complaint against Walmart, Inc., in the Circuit Court of the 15th Judicial Circuit in Palm Beach County, Florida, on March 7, 2025. The lawsuit alleges negligence on the part of Walmart that led to Walker's injury.
The incident at the heart of this case occurred on March 24, 2023, when Walker visited a Walmart Supercenter located at 4375 Belvedere Road in West Palm Beach. According to the complaint, Walker was a business invitee at the store when she slipped and fell due to a slippery substance on the floor. This unfortunate event resulted in significant injuries for Walker, necessitating her transport by Palm Beach County Fire Rescue to Good Samaritan Medical Center for treatment.
Walker’s lawsuit accuses Walmart of failing to maintain its premises in a safe condition and neglecting its duty to warn customers about hazardous conditions. The complaint states that "a slippery, viscous substance had spilled on the floor within the immediate vicinity and line of sight of multiple points of sale," yet employees did nothing to mitigate this danger or warn patrons like Walker. It further claims that Walmart had either actual or constructive notice of this dangerous condition but failed to act appropriately.
As a result of her fall, Walker claims she suffered "bodily injury and resulting pain and suffering, disability, disfigurement, mental anguish," among other damages. She asserts these injuries have caused her significant financial losses due to medical expenses and loss of earnings both presently and into the future. The complaint seeks compensatory damages exceeding $50,000 exclusive of interest and costs.
Represented by John M. Howe from Law Office of John Howe P.A., Walker is demanding judgment against Walmart for compensatory damages according to law and has requested a jury trial for all issues so triable as a matter of right. The Case Number is: 502025CA002135XXXAMB Div: AA.