A slip-and-fall incident at a major retail store has led to a lawsuit that could have significant implications for business safety standards. On September 4, 2024, Shantal Chambers filed a complaint in the Circuit Court of the 15th Judicial Circuit in Palm Beach County, Florida, against Target Corporation and its employee Elmer Vasquez.
According to the complaint, Chambers alleges that on March 11, 2024, she was shopping at the Target store located at 1760 Palm Beach Lakes Blvd in West Palm Beach when she slipped and fell on an unidentified substance near the greeting cards section. Chambers claims that this incident resulted from negligence on the part of both Target Corporation and its team leader, Elmer Vasquez. The plaintiff asserts that both defendants failed to maintain a safe environment for customers and neglected their duty to warn patrons about potential hazards.
The complaint outlines several specific accusations against Target Corporation. Chambers contends that the company failed to inspect and maintain its premises adequately, thereby allowing a dangerous condition to exist. "Failing to warn the Plaintiff...of the existence or presence of dangerous and/or hazardous conditions," reads one of the allegations. The lawsuit also claims that Target violated building and accessibility codes by not addressing the substance on which Chambers slipped. Additionally, it is alleged that no warning signs or cones were placed around the hazardous area to alert customers.
Chambers further accuses Elmer Vasquez of similar negligence. As a team leader responsible for supervising employees, Vasquez is alleged to have permitted hazardous conditions to persist within his area of oversight. The complaint specifies multiple failures on his part, including not repairing or improving dangerous conditions and failing to implement proper safety procedures.
As a result of these alleged lapses in duty, Chambers claims she suffered severe injuries that have led to ongoing pain and suffering, mental anguish, emotional distress, and impairment of her working ability. She is seeking damages exceeding $50,000 for medical expenses incurred due to her injuries as well as compensation for her diminished quality of life.
Represented by attorney William P. Sepulveda from Lytal Reiter Smith Ivey & Fronrath law firm, Chambers demands judgment for damages plus costs and interest against both defendants. The Case Number is 502024CA008438XXXAMB Div: AE.