LUTZ, Fla. – Glendalis Gonzalez, a resident of Hillsborough County, has filed a lawsuit against Publix Super Markets, Inc. and an unnamed store manager for injuries she claims to have sustained during a slip-and-fall incident at a Publix store in Lutz, Florida. The lawsuit, filed in the Circuit Court of the Thirteenth Judicial Circuit in Hillsborough County, seeks damages exceeding $50,000.
According to the complaint, the incident occurred on August 13, 2024, at Publix store #834, located at 16560 N Nebraska Avenue in Lutz.
Gonzalez alleges she slipped and fell due to liquid on the floor, which resulted in bodily injuries. She claims the hazardous condition was a result of the defendants’ negligence in maintaining a safe environment for customers.
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The lawsuit states that Publix breached its duty of care by failing to ensure the premises were safe, neglecting to warn customers about the liquid hazard, and not taking steps to inspect, monitor, or correct the dangerous condition. Gonzalez alleges that Publix had either actual knowledge of the hazard or constructive knowledge, as the condition had existed long enough to be noticed or occurred frequently enough to be foreseeable.
In addition to Publix, the lawsuit names the store manager, referred to as “John Doe,” as a defendant. Gonzalez accuses the manager of failing to address the unsafe condition, neglecting to train employees adequately on hazard prevention, and failing to alert Publix management about the issue in a timely manner. The lawsuit also highlights the store manager’s responsibility to ensure customer safety and prevent foreseeable injuries.
As a result of the incident, Gonzalez claims to have suffered permanent injuries, including pain and suffering, physical impairment, mental anguish, and loss of earning capacity. The lawsuit states that these injuries are ongoing and will continue to impact her quality of life and financial well-being in the future.
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Gonzalez is represented by attorney Sarah K. Hibbard of Morgan & Morgan. The plaintiff has requested a jury trial to determine the extent of her damages and to hold the defendants accountable for their alleged negligence.
The case will proceed in Hillsborough County’s Circuit Court, where Gonzalez seeks justice for the injuries and losses she claims to have endured.
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