Smith v. Wal-Mart Stores, Inc.

Harwell, Chief Justice:

We granted Vanessa D. Smith’s (Smith) petition for writ of certiorari to review Smith v. Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. , — S.C. —, 427 S.E. (2d) 712 (Ct. App. 1993). Smith contends that the Court of Appeals erred in affirming a directed verdict for Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. (Wal-Mart) on the ground that there was no evidence of the cause of Smith’s fall. We agree and reverse.

I. Facts

Smith instituted this action seeking recovery for damages she incurred as a result of falling in Wal-Mart. At trial, Smith testified that she fell while walking past some shopping carts “scattered” in…