Walmart operates more than 4000 "supercenters" and "neighborhood markets" across the United States. With over 570 billion dollars in annual revenue, it's bound to happen that some of those transactions go awry. Recently, Walmart has been sued over the legitimacy of some homeopathic products as well as how their pharmacies handled opioid prescriptions. Walmart has even had to deal with violence in its stores and the ramifications of handling it.

Suing Walmart can seem like a daunting task. They are a gigantic company with a lot of legal resources. To help even the playing field, you may consider filing a formal complaint and if that doesn't work - filing a small claims case against them. Small Claims courts work towards your advantage as lawyers aren't allowed (usually) and your hearing date is usually set 30-60 days after your filing is accepted. This article will cover how you can file a formal complaint and even take Walmart to small claims court if need be.

What Can I Do to Contact Walmart and Make a Complaint

If you are a Walmart customer, you have several options for seeking out a solution to your dispute with the company's services:

  1. Provide Feedback - If the nature of the issue is minor, you may consider providing your feedback quickly and to a real person via their internal customer support team. You can reach them at 1-800-925-6278.
  2. File a Complaint - If you have a more serious question, you can contact Walmart's Customer Service team. Remember to communicate plainly and calmly your issue. You can reach them by using their website.
  3. Use Social Media - Social Media can be a powerful tool to grab a large company's attention and have them prioritize solving your issue. You can contact Walmart on social media in the following places:
    1. Twitter - Walmart
    2. Facebook - Walmart
  4. Sue in Small Claims Court - Small Claims court is a fast, cheaper way to sue another person or company for money. Often, lawyers are not allowed (saving you money on representation) and many states let you sue for up to $10,000. A judge will hear out your argument, review your evidence and they can order the other party to compensate you.

How to Take Action in Small Claims

One of the most accessible legal forums is Small Claims Court, where you can sue a company or individual for up to $10,000 in most states without the need for a lawyer. Small Claims Court offers you the opportunity to explain your complaint to a judge who has the power to order the other party to pay you the money that is owed.

In addition, Small Claims Court has additional benefits for the layman seeking legal action:

  • Small Claims Court Processes and procedures are generally simpler to follow than other more formal courts
  • Small Claims Court Filings are cheaper than filing in other courts
  • Lawyers are not usually allowed in Small Claims Courts.
  • The process is fast. You can usually expect a hearing within 1-2 months after filing.

‎Types of Lawsuits Against Walmart:

You may want to think about the reasons you considered suing Walmart. In the past, people have sued for the following reasons:

  • Failure to deliver the items you purchased - For example, you made a purchase from Walmart online but it hasn't been delivered.
  • An issue with Walmart Auto Care Center - For example, you drove to a Walmart Auto Care Center to get the oil changed, but instead they messed up your engine.
  • Personal Injury - For example, if you slipped inside a Walmart and hurt yourself.

How to Sue Walmart Yourself

It's important to note that the process can vary from state to state. But typically, suing in small claims court involves the following:

  • Identify the Company and its Registered Agent: Knowing Walmart's legal name and address will help you contact the right company. You can find this information on the Secretary of State's website where the company is incorporated. Identifying the registered agent will also help identify who you'll have to serve.
  • Write and Send a Demand Letter - Many courts ask that you send (and show proof) of a short, one-to-two-page formal request that lets the recipient know that they’ll face legal action if they don’t comply.
  • Fill Out the Court Forms - Each court has different forms required to file a case with them. Some states (such as California) have one form that covers the whole state, while others (such as Florida) have different forms depending on the location of the court. Don't forget you'll need to sign these forms and possibly have them notarized as well.
  • File the Forms with the Court - You'll need to either access their online portal or head to the courthouse directly to file your completed forms. Often, the court asks you to bring multiple copies so they can distribute the filing appropriately and they always charge some type of filing fee. The price of this fee varies ($25 - 400 depending upon the courthouse) and it can be awarded back to you if you win the case.
  • Serve the Defendant - If your case is accepted, most courthouses will ask that you "serve" the other party. This means you are notifying the defendant that a hearing is going to occur and the reason for it.
  • Attend your Hearing - After all that is said and done, you'll want to prepare for court and then attend your scheduled hearing where you'll present your case. Hopefully, the judge is empathetic toward your issue, and rules in your favor.

You may notice that even if filing in Small Claims Court is easier, it can take up a lot of your time. That's not to mention the time you may lose repeating a step or two if you accidentally do something wrong.

Whereas, if you use Dispute, you can generate a demand letter and small claims document within minutes from your phone or computer. We will connect you with the right forms from the courthouse you choose.

How to Sue Walmart Using Dispute

Here’s how you can generate a small claims document with Dispute in a few easy steps:

1. Head to our website to access our software:

‎2. Click "Get Started" and choose the "Small Claims" service (or another if you'd like to start somewhere else).

‎3. Enter your case information including your info, the defendant's info and a summary of the issue.

‎4. Choose the courthouse where you want to file, answer their form's specific questions, and sign the document.

Now you're on your way to preparing and filing a case directly with the court. If you have any questions about our software, please don't hesitate to reach out, and good luck with your case against Walmart.