Walmart, the world’s largest retailer, is involved in numerous high-profile lawsuits in 2025, spanning issues from labor disputes to product liability, consumer protections, and environmental concerns. These legal actions underscore ongoing regulatory scrutiny and public pressure on Walmart regarding its business practices, corporate responsibility, and impact on communities.
Employment and Labor Lawsuits
A significant portion of lawsuits against Walmart involves allegations of wage and hour violations, including unpaid overtime, misclassification of employees as exempt, and failure to provide adequate breaks. Walmart has also faced class actions relating to sexual harassment claims and discrimination against minority and female employees.
Although Walmart regularly denies wrongdoing, it has settled some claims and currently faces ongoing litigation in various state and federal courts challenging labor practices and workplace conditions.
Product Liability and Consumer Protection Cases
Walmart has been sued over product safety issues, including defective products sold in stores that caused injury or health hazards to consumers. These lawsuits sometimes involve pharmaceuticals, electronics, and food products, with plaintiffs alleging negligence in inspection or failure to warn.
In consumer protection, Walmart faces claims related to deceptive pricing, misleading advertising, and failure to comply with consumer privacy laws affecting customers’ data security.
Environmental and Regulatory Challenges
Walmart has encountered lawsuits centered on environmental compliance, such as improper disposal of hazardous waste and violations of pollution control laws at various store and distribution locations. These cases reflect increasing environmental accountability expectations on large corporations.
COVID-19 Related Legal Issues
The pandemic raised additional legal challenges for Walmart, including lawsuits alleging inadequate employee protections, insufficient sanitation protocols, and wrongful termination claims related to COVID-19 incidents. Walmart has taken steps to enhance health and safety measures to mitigate these legal exposures.
Corporate Governance and Securities Litigation
Shareholders have filed lawsuits over Walmart’s corporate governance, alleging failure to disclose material risks adequately, particularly regarding supply chain disruptions and international business practices. These suits seek reforms and fiduciary accountability from Walmart’s board and executives.
Impact and Corporate Responses
Seeking to manage these risks, Walmart continues to invest in compliance programs, legal defenses, and community engagement initiatives. The company regularly updates policies to comply with evolving laws and expectations on labor, safety, environmental, and consumer rights.
Conclusion
The Walmart lawsuits in 2025 reflect a broad legal landscape that challenges many aspects of its global retail operations. Navigating these lawsuits requires balancing business growth with adherence to legal obligations and corporate responsibility.
The outcomes of these cases will influence Walmart’s strategies and set precedents affecting the wider retail sector’s approach to labor, consumer safety, environmental stewardship, and governance.
