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Publix Slip And Fall Attorney

See Alan’s Publix slip and fall settlements and learn your rights, including the damages you can recover and helpful case law.

Below is a sample of some of the slip and fall (premises liability) cases Alan Sackrin has settled and won against Publix by filing a lawsuit or pre-suit settlement.

Settlement: $37,500.00 – E.P. v. Publix Super Markets, Inc.
Settlement: $62,500.00 – R.L. v. Publix Super Markets, Inc.
Confidential Settlement v. Publix Supermarkets, Inc.
Confidential Settlement v. Publix Supermarkets, Inc.
Confidential Settlement v. Publix Supermarkets, Inc.
Settlement: $28,500.00 – I. J. v Publix Super Markets, Inc. – Plaintiff slipped and fell in the produce department – minor injuries
Settlement: $25,000.00 – E. P. v. Publix Super Markets, Inc. – Plaintiff slipped & fell on water/ice from turkey freezer (the day before Thanksgiving), aggravation of a preexisting back injury.
Settlement: $17,500.00 – C.T. v. Publix Super Markets, Inc. – Our client slipped and fell on the green paper that Publix uses to wrap food at the deli, and she sustained an ankle fracture. This claim was settled pre-lawsuit.
Settlement: $7,500.00 – T.H. v. Publix Super Markets, Inc. – A bottle of soda placed on a top shelf fell and shattered with the broken pieces striking Plaintiff.

See More of Alan Sackrin’s Verdicts and Settlements

Did you already settle your claim or sign a document with Publix? In some instances, we may still be able to help. For example, if you signed a release within a few days after your slip and fall or another injury, but were confused thinking the document related to medical bills being advanced then we may still be able to help.

Quick Publix Facts:

According to the Clerk of the Court’s website, the number of premises liability cases filed against Publix per year in Broward County, Florida, is:

2021 – 42 (through 11/11/21)
2020 – 47
2019 – 44
2018 – 42
2017 – 46
2016 – 42
2015 – 44
2014 – 57
2013 – 53
2012 – 33

Read: Attorney Fees Are Negotiable in Personal Injury Cases

Common Causes of Publix Slip and Falls

The most frequent causes of slip and fall accidents at Publix include:

leaking freezers,
items dropped on the floor,
missing “wet floor” signs, and
missing floor mats or floor mats which are not properly placed, damaged or become folded.

How Does a Publix Slip and Fall Attorney Prove a Claim Against The Company?

Being able to show how Publix is at fault for a slip and fall is not easy to do. This is especially true when they do not like to share their surveillance video or maintenance log-books.

The best ways to prove a claim is to 1) have the court order their lawyers produce the video footage; 2) show pictures of the transitory substance on the floor; 3) review their log-books to learn how often employees are checking and cleaning the aisle; 3) take the deposition of store employees; and 4) request interrogatories, request for admissions, requests to produce and other statutory and rules of court procedures.

Read (From Alan’s Personal Injury Blog): Grocery Store Slip and Fall – How to Prove Your Claim

What Compensation Can You Recover For Your Slip and Fall Injuries?

You may be able to recover damages for:

Pain and Suffering (From Alan’s personal injury blog)
Medical Bills – Past and Future
Lost Wages (From Alan’s personal injury blog)
Loss of Enjoyment of Life

Common Injuries Resulting From a Slip and Fall

Hand and Wrist Injuries
Shoulder
Fractured bones
Head injuries – concussion
Ankle injuries (From Alan’s personal injury blog).

Florida Law On Slip and Falls – Transitory Substances

Under Florida statute 768.0755, Publix has a legal duty to warn its patrons that there is a dangerous condition on the floor by doing something like displaying a “wet floor” sign.

However, the sign is only required if the business knew or should have known of the wet floor surface.

Florida Publix Slip and Fall Case Law:

Below are appellate cases involving Publix and slip and fall cases occurring in their grocery stores. We believe analyzing these cases gives us a view into how Publix approaches slip and fall cases.

Owens v. Publix Supermarkets, Inc.

A woman slipped and fell in Publix on a discolored piece of banana. Judgment was entered in favor of Publix for failure to present evidence that Publix had any “constructive knowledge” of the banana being on the floor. Upon appeal, the verdict was affirmed (the plaintiff would have had to prove how long the banana had been on the floor).

CATEGORY: constructive knowledge

Schaap v. Publix Supermarkets, Inc.

A woman slipped and fell on a piece of cookie that was on the floor. The Plaintiff alleged negligent failure of Publix to maintain the floors of its supermarket in a reasonably safe condition. To recover for injuries incurred in a slip and fall case, the plaintiff must generally prove that the owner of the premises had actual or constructive notice of the dangerous condition. The trial court ruled in favor of Publix. Upon appeal, the verdict was affirmed and Publix was not found negligent for the way they operate their cookie program (free cookies for children under 12).

CATEGORY: constructive notice

Publix Super Market, Inc. v. Sanchez

A woman, while shopping at Publix, slipped and fell on a piece of cake which had fallen from a demonstration table. The Plaintiff alleged that Publix created the dangerous condition and negligently maintained its premises. No evidence of how long the cake had been on the floor or who dropped it. A verdict was entered in favor of Plaintiff, however, was reversed based on her failure to prove how long cake had been on the floor and whether this condition happened so frequently that Publix should have had knowledge of it.

CATEGORY: constructive notice

McClure v. Publix Super Markets, Inc.

A woman slipped and fell while shopping in Publix. She filed suit and requested production of the store security video of her slip and fall. Publix did not turn over the video and the plaintiff filed a motion to compel. Publix responded that it would produce the requested video following her deposition. The Plaintiff sought certiorari review of the order compelling her deposition prior to the production of a store security video of the slip and fall. Her petition was denied; The Court retains the discretion to control the timing of discovery, even though the tapes are not considered work product.

CATEGORY: discovery timing

Publix Super Markets, Inc. v. Worley

A man hit his head on the door handle of a refrigerator in Publix. He received nine sutures in his forehead to close the wound. The Verdict was in Plaintiff’s favor and he was awarded $ for past medical expenses, but gave him nothing for future medical expenses, past or future lost wages, or past or future non-economic damages. The trial court determined that Worley should have received something for past non-economic damages in light of the jury finding that he was entitled to past medical expenses and that Publix was 100% at fault. The court awarded an additur of $20,000 or alternatively a new trial. Worley elected a new trial. Publix appealed the Order granting a new trial and upon appeal, the order of the trial court was affirmed and the matter was remanded for a new trial on past non-economic damages.

CATEGORY: future medical expenses, past or future lost wages, past or future economic damages.

Defigueiredo v. Publix Super Markets, Inc.

A woman fell in Publix. Summary Judgment was awarded to Publix based on a release by Plaintiff in exchange for payment of medical bills. The Plaintiff claimed a release was obtained by fraud or mistake on her part (English is not her first language and she claimed to have misunderstood the receipt she was given for the payment). She testified that she was told to go to Publix to receive reimbursement for medical bills and to sign a receipt for same. Summary Judgment was reversed and the case was remanded for a new trial.

CATEGORY: misrepresentation

Publix Supermarkets, Inc. v. Johnson

District Court of Appeal of Florida, Fourth District. July 11, 2007, 959 So.2d 1274 2007 WL 1988960

Johnson was stopped and detained by Publix’s security personnel on suspicion of shoplifting. Publix suggested he participate in a civil theft recovery program which he declined and they charged him with theft. Johnson was found not guilty. He then filed suit against Publix for false imprisonment and malicious prosecution. During the discovery process, Johnson sought correspondence from Publix attorneys regarding their civil theft recovery program. Publix sought protection from this discovery and it was denied. Publix claimed work-product privilege and asserted the privacy rights on non-parties (others involved in civil theft program). The case was remanded for further proceedings because the lower court failed to require Johnson to sufficiently show necessity regarding the work-product privilege and relevance regarding privacy rights. The Order denying protection from discovery was quashed.

CATEGORY: DISCOVERY: WORK-PRODUCT PRIVILEGE, NECESSITY

Publix Super Markets, Inc. v. Anderson

District Court of Appeal of Florida, Fourth District. July 25, 2012, 92 So.3d 922 2012 WL 3023216

Anderson slipped and fell while in Publix and filed suit thereafter. During discovery, the Plaintiff sought the store’s reports regarding the incident. Publix asserted work-product privilege and identified two documents in its privilege log; an incident report written by the assistant store manager and a witness incident statement. After these documents were reviewed privately by the judge, the trial court ordered their production. Publix appealed this decision and the order to produce the two documents was quashed. The two documents were created in anticipation of litigation and are confidential. In order for these documents to be discoverable, the Plaintiff would have had to show the necessity for them in relation to the case and that they are unable (without due hardship) to obtain the equivalent by any other means (i.e. deposition

CATEGORY: DISCOVERY: WORK-PRODUCT PRIVILEGE

Mayo v. Publix Super Markets, Inc.

District Court of Appeal of Florida, Fourth District. January 29, 1997 686 So.2d 801 1997 WL 30807

The trial court awarded a verdict to Publix for a slip and fall suit filed by Mr. Mayo. He was injured when he stepped off a scale in the store and claimed he was hit by the shopping cart of another customer who did not stay to assist him. One issue was whether Publix was negligent for the placement of the scale (near store entrance & shopping carts) and its visibility. Plaintiff sought to introduce into evidence at trial portions of the store’s manager’s procedures manual in order to show what was reasonable care in the placement of the scale. The trial court excluded this manual from evidence relying on case law interpretation in which such a manual is not admissible. On appeal, it was clarified that a party’s own internal operating manuals are admissible if relevant to the issues, but must also meet the test of relevancy. The appellate court upheld the lower court’s ruling to exclude the manual based on relevancy since it did not include mention of safe situation of scale nor were there violations of policies with causal connection to the accident.

CATEGORY: RULES OF EVIDENCE: RELEVANCE, ADMISSIBILITY

Toledo v. Publix Super Markets, Inc.

District Court of Appeal of Florida, Fourth District. March 31, 2010 30 So.3d 712 2010 WL 1222707

Toledo slipped and fell in a parking lot adjacent to Publix and had to undergo back surgery. She filed a Complaint against Publix as well as the owner of the parking lot. Three years later she claims she was injured in a car accident and retained an attorney for the auto accident. During the slip and fall litigation, the Defendants subpoenaed the accident attorney for all non-privileged portions of his file. He objected citing attorney-client privilege. The Defendant’s set the matter for hearing and the trial court ordered Toledo’s attorney to submit his file for an in-camera inspection. He appealed this Order and it was quashed. The Defendant’s claimed there was insufficient detail in the attorney’s privilege log to make a significant determination regarding non-privileged documents. Toledo called the subpoena a “fishing expedition”. The Defendants did not propound interrogatories or requests for production in order to determine if there were documents in the auto accident file relevant to the fall in the parking lot.

CATEGORY: DISCOVERY: RELEVANCY, PRIVILEGE

Little v. Publix Supermarkets, Inc.

District Court of Appeal of Florida, Fourth District. April 17, 1970, 234 So.2d 132

Plaintiff Little appealed a final judgment upon the directed verdict in favor of Publix after she filed suit following a slip and fall on a clear liquid while in the store. Publix motion for a directed verdict was based on the contention that there was no evidence to show the store had actual notice of the condition of the floor or inference that the liquid had been there long enough that the store should have known about it. Mrs. Little had stood at the entrance of the aisle talking to someone for about 15-20 minutes before entering the aisle in which she slipped. During that time she did not see or hear anyone in that aisle nor did she hear any breaks or spills. It could be inferred from this that no one was in that aisle and thus the liquid had to have been there for at least 15-20 minutes. The directed verdict in favor of Publix was reversed and remanded upon appeal based on the fact that the 15-20 minute time period was found sufficient for Publix to have known of the condition and also was a reasonable amount of time in which to have corrected it.

CATEGORY: RULES OF EVIDENCE: INFERENCE

Disclaimer – These cases are being provided for informational purposes only and should not be relied upon in any way. The law is constantly evolving, including being replaced or modified. Therefore, we urge you to speak with an experienced Florida slip and fall lawyer about your case to learn about your rights.

Quick Slip And Fall Facts:

Slip and falls are the second leading cause of injuries and deaths after car accidents. Every hour an older adult dies as a result of a fall. The most common injuries resulting from slip and falls include, herniated disc, head injury and/or a knee injury.

Want to Know More? Talk With a Publix Slip and Fall Lawyer

Since 1982, Alan Sackrin has represented clients throughout Florida in recovering monetary damages for slip & fall, trip & fall, and other premises liability injuries. Alan is an expert slip and fall lawyer and a Board Certified Civil Trial Specialist who has spent years evaluating accident facts, applying the law, and has effectively asked juries to render favorable verdicts for his clients.

To learn more about Alan, see his bio.

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Learn More: See Our Slip and Fall Resource Page

Publix Slip and Fall Attorney