A woman is seeking justice after a trip to the grocery store left her with serious injuries. Holly Hazellief filed a complaint against Publix Super Markets, Inc. in the Circuit Court of the Sixth Judicial Circuit in Pinellas County, Florida on June 18, 2024.
According to the complaint, Hazellief was shopping at Publix (#1394) located at 1700 34th Street N., St. Petersburg, Florida on April 7, 2024. As she walked down an aisle carrying a small basket, she tripped over a clear one-gallon jug of water that had been left in the aisle. The fall resulted in significant injuries for Hazellief.
The lawsuit alleges that Publix Super Markets, Inc., which owns and operates the store, was negligent in maintaining the premises. The complaint states that Publix had a non-delegable duty to ensure that their store was kept in a reasonably safe condition and to warn customers of any hazards. Hazellief claims that Publix breached this duty by allowing the jug of water to remain on the floor.
The complaint details several points of negligence: "Publix had actual or constructive knowledge of the dangerous condition and took no action to remedy it," it reads. It further accuses Publix of "allowing the premises to exist in a hazardous and dangerous state" and "failing to properly warn its clientele of the dangerous condition."
As a result of this alleged negligence, Hazellief has suffered multiple injuries including pain throughout her body and extremities, incurred medical expenses for treatment, experienced mental anguish, physical handicap, loss of earnings and earning capacity, loss of enjoyment of life, and aggravation of pre-existing conditions. The injuries are described as permanent and continuing.
Hazellief is seeking damages exceeding $50,000 from Publix Super Markets, Inc., along with interest and costs associated with the case. She has also demanded a trial by jury on all issues so triable.
Representing Hazellief is Tomas-Phillip Gacio from Abrahamson & Uiterwyk Car Accident & Injury Lawyers based in Tampa, Florida. The case is identified under Case Number: 24-002713-CI.