Man Wins $2.3 Million in Personal Injury Damages in Slip and Fall Lawsuit Against Kroger Co.

A Gwinnett County jury in Atlanta, Georgia has returned a verdict of $2.3 million in damages in a slip and fall lawsuit against Kroger Co. Prior to the jury verdict, a judge determined that Kroger had illegally destroyed and manipulated important video evidence involving an injured customer.

In May 2008, Craig Walters, 49 years-old, was shopping at his local Kroger grocery store on Ridge Road near Douglasville, Georgia. As Walters was perusing the aisles, he slipped on crushed fruit on the floor near the deli and fell on his back. The fall was so severe that Walters suffered a permanent spinal cord injury that required surgery and the placement of multiple rods and screws to stabilize his spinal cord.

Walters’ medical bills amounted to over $135,000 and his personal injuries left him unable to work. Walters had been a commercial landscaper prior to his tragic slip and fall accident.

Lawyers for Kroger initially claimed that the surveillance footage had been taped over, since videos are only kept for 17 days per store policy unless there is a reason to hold them longer. The lawyers also claimed that the store’s cameras did not point to the area where the accident occurred anyway. However, while a store manager was giving a deposition, he was asked to demonstrate the store’s video surveillance system, which revealed that a camera did, in fact, point directly to where Walters had fallen.

The deposition was enough for Gwinnet State Court Judge Joseph C. Iannazzone to sanction the company, and issue an order finding that Kroger had destroyed video evidence. Additionally, the judge also determined that the company was negligent with respect to the slip and fall accident.

A trial was set on the limited issues of what personal injury damages Walters was entitled to receive. At the conclusion of a three day trial, the jury returned the $2.3 million verdict.

Kroger is reportedly still considering whether or not to file an appeal.

If you or someone you know has been injured or killed in a Massachusetts slip, trip and fall accident, you should not hesitate. Call our Massachusetts slip and fall accident attorney counselors at 617-787-3700 to discuss your claim. Our Boston slip and fall lawyer experts and Massachusetts slip, trip and fall accident attorney specialists are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, to discuss your claim with you.

Call now to talk with a Boston, MA personal injury lawyer or Boston, MA wrongful death lawyer right away. Our highly skilled and experienced Boston, MA slip, trip and fall personal injury lawyer specialists, Boston, MA personal injury lawyer counselors and Boston, MA wrongful death lawyer professionals have won many millions of dollars owed to our clients. A Boston personal injury lawyer at our Boston, MA slip and fall law office can help you recover what you deserve.

Call our Boston personal injury lawyer advocates 24/7 at 617-787-3700 or send us an email at gilhoylaw@hotmail.com.

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