The Case

• Case Name: Vega v. Walmart
• Court and Case Number: Orange County Superior Court / 30-2021-01233383-CU-PO-CJC
• Date of Verdict or Judgment: Tuesday, January 27, 2026
• Date Action was Filed: Monday, November 29, 2021
• Type of Case: Premises Liability, Slip and Fall
• Plaintiffs:
  Richard Vega, 57
• Defendants:
  Walmart, Inc.
• Type of Result: Jury Verdict

The Result

• Gross Verdict or Award: $2,091,371.58
• Contributory/Comparative Negligence: None
• Economic Damages: Future economic: $149,464.08
• Non-Economic Damages: Past: $555,637.50
• Future: $1,386,270
• Jury Polls: Unanimous

The Attorneys

• Attorney for the Plaintiff:

  Law Offices of Brian Breiter by Shayan Vafaee, Los Angeles.

• Attorney for the Defendant:

  Pettit Kohn Ingrassia Lutz & Dolin by Nicole Davidov, San Diego.

The Experts

• Plaintiff’s Medical Expert(s):

  Neil Ghodadra, M.D., orthopedics.

• Defendant's Medical Expert(s):
• Nicholas Rose, M.D., orthopedics.
• Plaintiff's Technical Expert(s):

  Alex Balian, store policies and procedures.

• Defendant's Technical Expert(s):

  John Brault, accident reconstruction.

Facts and Background

• Facts and Background: Plaintiff entered Walmart on a rainy day and slipped on a wet floor upon his third step into the store, before he reached a safety mat. He suffered a broken left wrist and was taken to the hospital. Two weeks later, plaintiff underwent an open reduction procedure for his broken left wrist.
• Plaintiff's Contentions: That Walmart did not follow its inclement weather policies for dry-mopping the floors. Further, that the carpeted mat placed at the entryway was not placed up to the edge of the doorway, leaving exposed floor to entering customers.
• Defendant's Contentions: That plaintiff was not looking in the direction that he was walking, as he entered the store. Further, defendant and its liability expert contended that the customer entering the store immediately before plaintiff brought rainwater into the store, which did not give defendant sufficient time to notice and dry the wet floor. With regards to the carpeted mat, Walmart alleged that the mat had moved approximately 15 inches from the edge of the doorway due to high foot-traffic in the hour prior to plaintiff entering the store.

Injuries and Other Damages

• Physical Injuries claimed by Plaintiff: Broken wrist.

Demands and Offers

• Defendant §998 Offer: $50,000
• Defendant Final Offer before Trial: $50,000