In a gripping legal confrontation, a plaintiff has taken on a major sporting goods retailer over allegations of negligence leading to personal injury. Richard Rockower filed a complaint against Dick's Sporting Goods, Inc., doing business as Going, Going, Gone!, in the Circuit Court of the 15th Judicial Circuit in Palm Beach County, Florida, on May 8, 2025.
The lawsuit centers around an incident that occurred on June 6, 2024, at the defendant's store located at 11061 Southern Blvd., Royal Palm Beach. Rockower claims he was visiting the store as a business invitee when he encountered an unreasonably dangerous condition in the shoe section. The complaint alleges that Dick's Sporting Goods negligently maintained this area by failing to properly store shoes, thereby creating a tripping hazard. "Defendant negligently maintained the shoe section on the property by causing or allowing an unreasonably dangerous condition to exist," states the complaint.
As per Rockower's account, this hazardous situation led to him tripping and falling, resulting in significant injuries. He accuses Dick's Sporting Goods of not only creating this perilous environment but also failing to warn him about it. The complaint asserts that the negligent condition was either known to the defendant or had existed long enough for them to have been aware of it.
Rockower is seeking damages exceeding $50,000 for his injuries which include bodily harm and resulting pain and suffering. He details a litany of consequences from his fall: disability, disfigurement, mental anguish, loss of enjoyment of life, medical expenses for hospitalization and nursing care, loss of earnings and earning capacity, and aggravation of a pre-existing condition. These losses are described as permanent or continuing with future implications.
The plaintiff demands judgment against Going, Going, Gone! for damages along with interest and costs associated with the case. Furthermore, Rockower seeks any additional relief deemed appropriate by the court under these circumstances and requests a trial by jury on all issues triable as a matter of right.
Representing Richard Rockower is attorney Tiffany M. Fanelli from Kogan and DiSalvo P.A., based in Boynton Beach. The case is filed under Case Number 502025CA004548XXXAMB.