102717judge-and-gavel

PREMISES LIABILITY

BROWARD CIRCUIT COURT

A Sam's Club store in Coral Springs was cleared of liability in a customer's fall.

In 2011, Stephanie Balme was near the store's food section when she slipped on some liquid. She claimed injuries that required a left knee replacement. Balme alleged the liquid was not cleared away in a timely manner. According to her counsel, a video showed employees performed little or no maintenance for about an hour prior to Balme's accident.

The store argued employees performed reasonable maintenance and noted the video appeared to show someone spilling a drink minutes before Balme slipped. The store thus claimed it lacked notice about the spilled liquid. The jury rendered a defense verdict.

Case: Balme v. Wal-Mart Stores

Case No.: CACE15013434

Plaintiffs attorneys: Keith Chasin, Keith Chasin P.A., Miami; and Charles S. Rowley Jr., Rowley Law, Stuart

Defense attorneys: Matthew McElligott and David M. Tarlow, Quintairos, Prieto, Wood & Boyer, Fort Lauderdale