$1.72M verdict for shopper who slipped on spilled detergent
It took three trials. The store's inspection logs were at the center of each one.
Amount awarded by the jury $1,725,000 Mobile County Circuit Court · September 2016 · Mobile County, Alabama
A Mobile County jury awarded $1,725,000 to a shopper who slipped on spilled laundry detergent at a discount variety store.
In July 2012 she slipped on clear liquid detergent on the floor of the store’s chemical aisle. She suffered severe leg and shoulder fractures and permanent disability. By trial she had undergone eight surgeries and 395 doctor visits, and her medical bills exceeded $470,000.
The store argued it had no notice of the spill. An employee had checked the area about 15 minutes before the fall and found nothing, and store policy called for three full sales-floor inspections a day, logged in a planner, plus hourly walks through the store.
The case took three trials. The first, in 2015, ended in a hung jury. The second, in 2016, ended in a mistrial after the court ruled that evidence of falls at other stores in the chain should not have been admitted. The third jury returned its verdict in September 2016.
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Not legal advice. Southeast Verdicts reports public court outcomes and news coverage. Parties are anonymized. Amounts are as reported at the time of the verdict or settlement and may have been reduced, appealed or not collected.
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Published by Dan Wentz
Commercial insurance producer in Birmingham, Alabama, specializing in coverage for commercial real estate owners.