Plaintiff’s Slip and Fall Case Doesn’t Hold Water (PA)

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A Plaintiff was denied recovery in a slip and fall case when a jury concluded that he failed to prove that a water leak caused his injuries.  In Bowman v. Giant Eagle, C.P. Allegheny No. GD-14-016640, the plaintiff sued a Giant Eagle grocery store in Pittsburgh, claiming that he slipped on liquid near a water fountain, adjacent to the entrance to the men’s room.  The plaintiff alleged that Giant Eagle was negligent in allowing the dangerous condition to exist.

In support of his claim, the plaintiff alleged that an employee at the store had walked by the accumulation of water at the time the accident occurred, but did not address the issue.  The plaintiff also claimed that the water fountain was leaking and that the store had failed to repair the leak.

The plaintiff sustained multiple fractures to his right leg, underwent surgery and had hardware implanted.  The plaintiff later participated in physical therapy over the course of a few months, and eventually underwent a second surgery to remove some of the hardware.  The plaintiff sought damages for medical costs as well as past and future pain and suffering.

Giant Eagle did not dispute the plaintiff’s injuries or his treatment, but did argue that there was no evidence to support the plaintiff’s claim that the water fountain had been leaking.  Giant Eagle cited a store manager’s incident report that found no water on the floor and no leaking from the fountain in support of its defense.  Ultimately,  the jury found that Giant Eagle was negligent, but that its negligence was not a factual cause of any harm to the plaintiff.  This case serves as an ever-important reminder that plaintiffs bear the ultimate burden of proving each and every element of their case, and that an effective defense will force plaintiffs to carry this burden at every step of the litigation process.  Just because a defendant may have been negligent does not equate to proximately causing a plaintiff’s injury.  Thanks to Greg Herrold for his contribution to this post.  Please email Brian Gibbons with any questions.