Carmen Ardila has filed a compelling lawsuit against a major retail chain, alleging negligence that resulted in severe injuries to her minor child. The complaint was lodged on February 4, 2025, in the Circuit Court of the Sixth Judicial Circuit in Pinellas County, Florida, naming Wal-Mart Stores East, LP and an unnamed store manager as defendants.

The case revolves around an incident that occurred on September 30, 2023, when Mariana M. Martinez Ardila visited a Walmart store located at 3810 Tampa Road in Oldsmar, Florida. According to the complaint filed by Carmen Ardila on behalf of her daughter Mariana, the child suffered significant injuries after slipping on a food substance left unattended on the store’s floor. The plaintiff argues that both Wal-Mart and its store manager failed to uphold their duty of care by not maintaining safe premises for customers. “Defendants expressly assumed responsibility for the maintenance and cleanliness of the aforementioned premises,” states the complaint.

The lawsuit accuses Wal-Mart of several acts of negligence including failing to maintain safe conditions, neglecting to warn about potential hazards, and not implementing adequate safety policies. These failures allegedly led to Mariana’s “severe, grievous and permanent injuries,” which have caused her ongoing physical pain and suffering. The complaint also holds Jane Doe personally accountable due to her managerial role at the time of the incident. It claims she neglected her responsibilities by not ensuring that safety protocols were followed and hazards were promptly addressed.