A shocking incident at a local retail giant has led to a lawsuit that could set a precedent for customer safety standards. On July 31, 2024, Linda Butler filed a complaint in the Circuit Court of the Sixth Judicial Circuit in Pinellas County, Florida, against Walmart Inc., alleging negligence and seeking damages exceeding $50,000.

The complaint centers around an incident that occurred on January 25, 2024, at Walmart Supercenter #1390 located at 8001 US Highway 19 N, Pinellas Park, FL. According to the filing, Butler was shopping in the cookie aisle when an employee pushing a metal stocking cart struck her on the right side. The impact caused Butler to fall on her left side, resulting in severe and permanent injuries. “Defendant’s employee negligently and carelessly pushed a metal stocking cart through the cookie aisle,” states the complaint.

Butler alleges that Walmart failed to maintain its premises in a reasonably safe condition and neglected to warn customers about potential hazards. The lawsuit accuses Walmart of several negligent acts or omissions, including failing to properly train employees on how to maneuver stocking carts safely and not warning customers about dangerous conditions in the store. “Defendant knew or should have known of the dangerous condition of the property,” reads another part of the complaint.