A Florida resident has filed a lawsuit against a major retail corporation following an alleged slip-and-fall incident at one of its stores. Charlene Yvonne Ricketts lodged the complaint in the Circuit Court of the Fifteenth Judicial Circuit in Palm Beach County, Florida, on April 3, 2025, naming Costco Wholesale Corp. and an individual referred to as John Doe as defendants.
The case revolves around an incident that occurred on July 16, 2023, when Ricketts was visiting a Costco store located at 11001 Southern Boulevard in Royal Palm Beach. According to the complaint, Ricketts slipped and fell on a slippery liquid substance that had accumulated on the floor near the juice aisle. The plaintiff claims she was a lawful business invitee at the time of the accident and alleges that Costco failed to maintain its premises in a safe condition. The complaint asserts that Costco should have been aware of the hazardous condition due to regular inspections or maintenance protocols.
Ricketts' legal team argues that Costco breached its duty by not warning her about the concealed danger and failing to implement adequate safety measures. "Defendant, COSTCO, knew or should have known that its warehouse floor would be walked upon by numerous business invitees," states the complaint. It further accuses Costco of negligence for not correcting or adequately addressing the dangerous condition despite having actual or constructive knowledge of it.
The plaintiff is seeking damages exceeding $50,000 for bodily injury, pain and suffering, disability, disfigurement, mental anguish, loss of capacity for enjoyment of life, medical expenses, lost earnings, and other related losses. These damages are claimed to be either permanent or continuing in nature.
In addition to targeting Costco as a corporate entity, Ricketts also names John Doe as a defendant. The complaint alleges that John Doe individually operated or managed the store where the incident took place on November 20, 2019. The allegations against John Doe mirror those against Costco: failure to maintain safe premises and warn about known dangers.
Ricketts' legal representation from Freeman Injury Law is led by attorney Matthew R. Chiapperini. The case is identified under Case Number 502025CA003185XXXAMB.