A slip-and-fall incident at a supermarket has led to a legal battle that could set a precedent for premises liability cases. On June 13, 2024, Lia Jean-Charles filed a complaint in the Circuit Court of the 15th Judicial Circuit in Palm Beach County, Florida, against Presidente Supermarket No. 53, LLC.
According to the complaint, on December 13, 2023, Jean-Charles was shopping at Presidente Supermarket located at 4360 Okeechobee Boulevard in West Palm Beach when she slipped and fell on water or liquid left on the floor in the meat section. The plaintiff asserts that she was a lawful invitee to the supermarket and that the defendant had a duty to maintain its floors and aisles in a reasonably safe condition.
Jean-Charles alleges that Presidente Supermarket negligently failed to properly maintain and inspect its floors and aisles, resulting in hazardous conditions. "The negligent conditions created by the Defendant remained on the floor for a sufficient length of time causing a slipping hazard," reads one part of the complaint. She further claims that these conditions were either known to or should have been known by the supermarket management but were not addressed promptly.
The plaintiff's accusations extend beyond mere negligence; she asserts that Presidente Supermarket had multiple legal duties it failed to fulfill. These include maintaining its floors in safe condition, inspecting them regularly for hazards, using reasonable care to keep premises free from dangerous conditions, and warning customers like her about any potential dangers. As a result of this alleged negligence, Jean-Charles claims she suffered severe injuries affecting her body and extremities, leading to pain and suffering, disability, mental anguish, loss of enjoyment of life, medical expenses, physical handicap, impaired working ability, lost wages both past and future.
Jean-Charles is seeking compensatory damages exceeding $50,000 exclusive of attorney's fees and court costs. She also demands a jury trial for all triable issues as per her right.
Representing Jean-Charles are attorneys Robin A. Rios and Jesse Nabernheim from Bernheim Kelley Battista LLC. The case number is: 502024CA005513XXXAMB Div: AJ.