A Palm Beach County woman has filed a lawsuit against a major retail chain, alleging negligence that led to serious injury. Janet Beltran Cruz filed the complaint in the Circuit Court of the 15th Judicial Circuit in Palm Beach County, Florida, on September 11, 2024, against Wal-Mart Stores East LP.
According to the complaint, on May 30, 2023, Janet Beltran Cruz was walking across the parking lot of Wal-Mart Store #1541 located at 9990 Belvedere Road in West Palm Beach when she tripped and fell over a raised asphalt drain. The fall caused her serious injuries. Cruz alleges that Wal-Mart had exclusive control over the parking lot and was responsible for its maintenance. She claims that Wal-Mart failed to maintain the common areas properly and did not block off or warn about the hazardous drain.
The plaintiff's accusations are severe. She asserts that Wal-Mart breached its duty of care by failing to maintain a safe environment for its invitees. Specifically, Cruz points out several failures: "to properly maintain the common areas as to not create a hazard and/or dangerous condition," "ensure that the above-referenced drain located in its parking lot was blocked off so as not to create a tripping and/or dangerous condition," "properly warn its invitees of any known or hidden dangers," and "maintain the parking lot in a reasonably safe and proper condition for its invitees."
Cruz contends that these breaches directly resulted in her injuries. She describes suffering from pain, physical handicap, mental anguish, and an inability to lead a normal life—all conditions she claims are permanent and continuing. Additionally, she states that she has incurred medical expenses due to her injuries and expects to continue incurring such costs in the future.
In her lawsuit, Cruz is seeking several forms of relief from the court: damages exceeding $50,000, reimbursement for legal costs associated with the suit, a trial by jury on all triable issues, and any other relief deemed just and appropriate by the court.
Representing Janet Beltran Cruz are attorneys Jeffrey M. Braxton (Florida Bar No.: 151963), Robert H. Stein (Florida Bar No.: 122564), and Craig A. Posner (Florida Bar No.: 188860) from The South Florida Injury Law Firm based in Coral Springs, FL. The case has been assigned Case Number: 502024CA008662XXXAMB Div: Al.