A forklift accident at a warehouse has led to a lawsuit seeking damages in excess of $50,000. On July 22, 2024, Alexander Zaballa filed a complaint in the Circuit Court of the 15th Judicial Circuit in and for Palm Beach County, Florida against Sysco Southeast Florida, LLC, Sysco Food Services of Southeast Florida, Inc., Sysco Corporation, and an unnamed employee referred to as John Doe.

The incident occurred on August 3, 2022, when Zaballa was visiting the defendants’ warehouse located at 1999 Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd in Riviera Beach, Florida. According to the complaint, John Doe was operating a forklift with the permission and consent of Sysco when he negligently controlled the vehicle. The mishandling caused pallets to become dislodged and crash into Zaballa’s left foot, resulting in extensive injuries. The plaintiff claims that all conditions precedent to this action have been performed or have occurred.

Zaballa’s complaint outlines multiple counts of negligence against each defendant. For instance, Count I targets Sysco Southeast Florida, LLC for failing to conduct due diligence before hiring John Doe and not providing adequate training or supervision. “SYSCO SOUTHEAST FLORIDA owed a duty to keep its premises free from dangerous conditions,” reads the complaint. Similarly, Counts II and III accuse Sysco Food Services of Southeast Florida Inc., and Sysco Corporation respectively of similar lapses in their duty of care towards business invitees like Zaballa.