A Pinellas County resident has filed a lawsuit against a major retail corporation and its manager, alleging negligence that led to severe injuries. Yessenia Gonzalez lodged the complaint in the Circuit Court of the 6th Judicial Circuit in Pinellas County, Florida, on July 29, 2024, targeting Walmart Stores East, LP., and Keith McKenna.
According to the court documents, Gonzalez claims she was an invitee at a Walmart store located at 3801 Tampa Road, Oldsmar, FL, on June 22, 2023. On that day, she allegedly slipped and fell on a slippery wet floor within the premises. The complaint asserts that Walmart Stores East and its manager McKenna failed to maintain safe conditions in the store. "The Defendant owed the Plaintiff the duty to exercise reasonable care in maintaining its premises in a safe condition," reads the filing.
Gonzalez accuses Walmart of multiple forms of negligence: failing to maintain safe premises, inadequate supervision of employees responsible for maintaining safety standards, and neglecting to warn customers about hazardous conditions. Additionally, it is alleged that Walmart did not block or isolate the dangerous area nor preserve surveillance footage of the incident. These failures resulted in Gonzalez suffering significant physical injuries and emotional distress. She has incurred substantial medical expenses and lost earnings due to her reduced capacity to work following the accident.
The complaint also targets Keith McKenna individually for his role as the store manager. It claims he had specific duties similar to those attributed to Walmart itself but failed in these responsibilities. "Defendant Keith McKenna breached one or more of these duties owed to Plaintiff," states the document. As a result of this alleged negligence by both defendants, Gonzalez has experienced pain, embarrassment, disability, humiliation, and a diminished quality of life.
In terms of relief sought from the court, Gonzalez is demanding damages exceeding $50,000 exclusive of interest and costs. She also requests a jury trial for all issues triable by right.
Representing Yessenia Gonzalez are attorneys Daniel L. Kaufman and Andrew D. Kagan from Asnis Srebnick & Kaufman LLC based in Sunrise, Florida. The case is identified under Case Number 24-003346-CI with Judge Ken Burke overseeing proceedings.