A customer has taken legal action against a major retail chain, alleging severe negligence that resulted in significant personal injury. Richard Bafumo filed a complaint on July 12, 2024, in the Circuit Court of the Fifteenth Judicial Circuit in Palm Beach County, Florida, against Interbond of America, LLC doing business as BrandsMart USA and its store manager Wayne Henson.
According to the complaint, Bafumo purchased an oven from BrandsMart USA on June 1, 2024. Following the store's instructions, he went to pick up the appliance at the loading dock of their West Palm Beach location. While assisting a store employee with loading the oven into his vehicle, Bafumo claims that without warning, the employee pulled the appliance away from the vehicle, crushing his left hand between the oven and his car. The lawsuit asserts that BrandsMart USA failed to provide adequate training and tools for their employees when handling heavy appliances, creating an unreasonably dangerous condition for customers like Bafumo.
The plaintiff's allegations include multiple counts of negligence against both BrandsMart USA and Wayne Henson. Specifically, Bafumo accuses BrandsMart USA of failing to properly instruct employees on safely loading heavy items and not providing necessary equipment to avoid hazardous conditions. Additionally, he claims that there was inadequate staffing and training which directly led to his injury. "Defendant negligently failed to correct or inspect and maintain safe conditions," states one part of the complaint.
Bafumo is seeking damages exceeding $50,000 for pain and suffering, medical expenses, loss of earnings capacity, mental anguish, permanent disfigurement and scarring among other injuries. He argues that these losses are either permanent or continuing and will affect him in the future.
Representing Bafumo is Vanessa Irvin from Morgan & Morgan law firm. The case is being overseen by Judge Joseph Abruzzo under Case ID: 502024CA006495XXXAMB Div: AK.