A Palm Beach County resident has filed a lawsuit alleging negligence after suffering injuries from a slip and fall incident at a well-known retail location. Joy Kirhatzi, the plaintiff, submitted her complaint on January 8, 2025, in the Circuit Court of the 15th Judicial Circuit in Palm Beach County, Florida. The defendants named in the case are Home Depot U.S.A., Inc., and Atlantic Southern Paving and Sealcoating, LLC.

The lawsuit arises from an incident that occurred on August 26, 2022, when Kirhatzi visited a Home Depot store located at 220 S State Rd 7 in West Palm Beach. According to the complaint, Kirhatzi slipped and fell due to an excessively slippery surface in the front outdoor area of the premises. The plaintiff claims that this hazardous condition was caused by improper paint or an accumulation of grease and other foreign substances. The lawsuit accuses Home Depot of several negligent acts including failing to maintain safe conditions on their property, not keeping the area free from slipping hazards, using inadequate materials for construction that did not meet safety standards, and neglecting to warn patrons about potential dangers.

In addition to Home Depot’s alleged negligence, Atlantic Southern Paving and Sealcoating is also implicated for its role in constructing or maintaining the hazardous area. The complaint states that Atlantic Southern was contracted by Home Depot to work on the outdoor area where Kirhatzi fell. Similar accusations are leveled against Atlantic Southern for failing to ensure safe conditions through proper construction practices and maintenance.