A man from New Jersey is now suing Walmart for $2 million in a federal court after turning down a settlement offer related to a slip-and-fall incident inside one of its stores.
The lawsuit was filed in U.S. District Court for New Jersey and names Walmart Stores Inc. and its in-store cleaning contractor, Prestige Maintenance USA Ltd., as the defendants.
The plaintiff, Timothy Ardizzone, said he slipped and fell on a clear liquid while shopping at a Walmart located in Franklin Township, Somerset County.
The incident happened on October 4, 2022. According to Ardizzone, he was walking near the dairy section when he stepped on a slippery area on the floor that had no warning sign or barrier. He claims the fall resulted in serious injuries.
In the complaint, Ardizzone stated that both Walmart and the cleaning company were careless and failed to make the store safe for customers. He said they should have known about the spill and cleaned it up, or at least warned shoppers about it.
Before going to court, Walmart’s lawyers made a settlement offer. They suggested paying Ardizzone a certain amount to settle the matter outside of court. However, Ardizzone rejected the offer.
He believes the amount offered was not enough to cover the pain, suffering, and medical expenses he’s had since the fall.
Now, he’s asking for $2 million in damages. This amount includes compensation for his medical bills, loss of income, and the emotional and physical pain he says he’s still going through.
Ardizzone’s legal team argues that this isn’t just about one man’s accident—it’s about holding big companies responsible for customer safety. They claim that by allowing such hazards to exist without proper warning, Walmart failed in its basic duty of care.
This case is not the first of its kind. Walmart has faced several slip-and-fall lawsuits over the years. Because it’s one of the largest retail chains in the U.S., accidents do happen in its stores from time to time. However, proving that Walmart or its contractors were at fault can be difficult in such cases.
In this case, Ardizzone’s lawyers claim there is enough evidence to show the store was negligent. They say the store’s staff should have checked the floors more often and responded faster to spills, especially in high-traffic areas like the dairy section.
The cleaning company, Prestige Maintenance USA, is also being held responsible. Since it was hired by Walmart to keep the store clean, Ardizzone believes it also failed in its job.
Now that the case has moved to federal court, it could take months—or even longer—before a final decision is made. If Ardizzone wins, it might push other major retailers to take store maintenance and customer safety more seriously.
For now, Walmart has not made any public comment about the case. It’s unclear whether they plan to fight the lawsuit or settle it before it goes to trial.
This lawsuit highlights the legal risks companies face when customer safety is not prioritized. It also shows that even after a settlement offer, a victim can still choose to go to court if they feel justice hasn’t been served.
As the case moves forward, it will be closely watched not just by legal experts but also by other retailers who may face similar issues. The outcome could impact how big-box stores handle spills and maintain safety protocols across the country.
Whether or not Ardizzone gets the full $2 million he’s asking for, his decision to reject Walmart’s settlement and take the case to court shows how important it is for customers to stand up when they believe their rights have been violated.