A forklift accident at a warehouse has led to a lawsuit seeking damages in excess of $50,000. On July 22, 2024, Alexander Zaballa filed a complaint in the Circuit Court of the 15th Judicial Circuit in and for Palm Beach County, Florida against Sysco Southeast Florida, LLC, Sysco Food Services of Southeast Florida, Inc., Sysco Corporation, and an unnamed employee referred to as John Doe.
The incident occurred on August 3, 2022, when Zaballa was visiting the defendants' warehouse located at 1999 Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd in Riviera Beach, Florida. According to the complaint, John Doe was operating a forklift with the permission and consent of Sysco when he negligently controlled the vehicle. The mishandling caused pallets to become dislodged and crash into Zaballa's left foot, resulting in extensive injuries. The plaintiff claims that all conditions precedent to this action have been performed or have occurred.
Zaballa's complaint outlines multiple counts of negligence against each defendant. For instance, Count I targets Sysco Southeast Florida, LLC for failing to conduct due diligence before hiring John Doe and not providing adequate training or supervision. "SYSCO SOUTHEAST FLORIDA owed a duty to keep its premises free from dangerous conditions," reads the complaint. Similarly, Counts II and III accuse Sysco Food Services of Southeast Florida Inc., and Sysco Corporation respectively of similar lapses in their duty of care towards business invitees like Zaballa.
Count IV specifically names John Doe as negligent for operating the forklift in an unsafe manner. The complaint lists several failures on his part including not keeping a proper lookout while driving and operating the forklift while distracted. "DOE’s negligence was a proximate cause of the accident," asserts the document.
Zaballa is seeking judgment for damages covering bodily injury, pain and suffering, disability, disfigurement, mental anguish, loss of enjoyment of life, and medical expenses incurred due to his injuries—all described as permanent with future implications.
The case is being handled by attorney Luis E. Sosa from Rosenthal Levy Simon & Sosa law firm. The presiding judge has yet to be named under Case ID: 502024CA006878XXXAMB Div: AF.