ORLANDO — An Orange County woman is suing Kohl's, alleging battery, intentional infliction of emotional distress and negligence.
Renata Cerqueira filed a complaint Jan. 29 in Orange County Circuit Court against Kohl's Department Stores Inc., alleging failure to provide a customer with adequate security and safety.
According to the complaint, on Oct. 15, 2017, while she was on the Kohl's premises in Orlando, Cerqueira was attacked, restrained and physically beaten by Kohl's independent contractors, employees, servants and/or agents who thought she was a shoplifter.
As a result of Kohl's extreme and outrageous acts, the suit says, Cerqueira sustained severe emotional distress or mental harm, and bodily injuries that resulted in pain and suffering, disability, disfigurement, mental anguish, loss of enjoyment of life, lost wages, aggravation of an existing defect, and medical expenses.
The plaintiff alleges Kohl's Department Stores failed to carefully select staff who would be charged with the duty to confront and deter potential or suspected shoplifters, failed to conduct a proper background check and/or psychological evaluation prior to retention of security personnel, and failed to implement proper training techniques to minimize acts of violence.
Cerqueira seeks trial by jury, compensatory, treble, exemplary and/or punitive damages of more than $15,000, interest, court costs and disbursements, attorney fees and all further just relief. She is represented by attorneys Craig R. Lynd and Jeffrey S. Kaufman of Kaufman & Lynd PLLC in Orlando.
Orange County Circuit Court case number 19-CA-1195