Lady slipped and fell on coffee beans resulting in a settlement of $125,000

Author: Attorney Daniel Villalobos

Lady Slipped and Fell In A Store

Our client, a middle aged woman, was walking in the coffee isle in a supermarket in Sunny Isles, Florida. Suddenly and without warning she slipped and fell on coffee beans that another customer had spilled onto the floor. Believing it was not the store’s fault since another customer had spilled the beans, she got up and left the store. Later that night she was in excruciating pain and could not get out of bed. Once again, she unfortunately believed there was no recourse for her. After 3 days of not getting any relief from pain, her daughter picked up the phone and called the Sunny Isles Beach Slip And Fall Attorneys Dell and Schaefer. When our attorney Daniel Villalobos picked up the phone the initial contact with the daughter was her stating that most likely her mom did not have a case but she just wanted to be sure by asking an attorney. After listening to the events that unfolded, Mr. Villalobos advised the daughter that not only was she incorrect, but that he believed he would be able to prove clear liability against the supermarket. Absolutely in shock and awe the daughter asked for more details to which Mr. Villalobos was happy to “spill the beans” on his theory of liability. He explained to the daughter that under Florida Law, a supermarket may be liable for injuries sustained by another if they knew or SHOULD HAVE KNOWN, about a dangerous condition and failed to take necessary steps to prevent the injury. In this case he explained that according to the details of the slip and fall, he could demonstrate that the coffee beans had been there for over 25 minutes without being cleaned up. He stated he believed the supermarket should have known about the spilled beans if they had done their proper floor checks every 15 to 20 minutes. Since the beans were still there for almost half an hour, he believed that the supermarket was negligent for not cleaning it up.

Dell and Schaefer Negotiate A Settlement

After the client finished treating for her injuries and undergoing a small surgical procedure, Mr. Villalobos filed a bodily injury demand against the insurance company for the supermarket. Mr. Villalobos sought monetary damages for injury, pain and suffering, loss of consortium, disfigurement, disability, mental anguish, past and future medical expenses, lost wages, and impairment of ability to earn future wages. After a lengthy negotiation the case resolved for $125,000. The client and her daughter were ecstatic that they opted to make an inquiry phone call rather than do nothing.

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