PITTSBURGH – The daughter and husband of a deceased Beaver Falls woman have settled claims with Walmart for alleged negligence-related damages connected to severe leg injuries she suffered in its local store prior to her passing.
Danielle Barrett (individually and as Administratrix of the Estate of Janet Simon, deceased) and Joseph Simon of Beaver Falls first filed suit in the Allegheny County Court of Common Pleas on Sept. 21 versus Wal-Mart Stores East, L.P. and Wal-Mart Stores East, Inc. (both doing business as “Wal-Mart Supercenter”) of Harrisburg.
“On or about July 3, 2020, decedent was lawfully upon the premises shopping, exercising all due care and caution for her safety, riding an electric cart in one of the premises’ aisles open and intended for business invitees’ use. At all times relevant hereto, decedent was a business invitee on the premises and was owed the highest duty of care by the defendants,” the suit said.
“At the aforesaid time and location, as decedent drove her cart with all due care and caution through the aisle, she suddenly and without warning had her leg tom open by a sharp clothing display which protruded into the customer aisle and caused decedent to suffer life-threatening injuries. The sharp clothing display protruding into the customer aisle created a hazard which was not readily visible or discernible as business invitees, such as decedent moved about the premises.”
The plaintiffs claimed that Walmart had constructive notice of the condition and failed to remedy it or make the premises safe for customers.
“As a direct and proximate result of the individual, joint and/or several negligence and carelessness of defendants, the resulting hazardous condition, and decedent’s subsequent injury, decedent suffered: severe physical injuries including significant laceration to her leg; severe pain; anxiety, depression, and emotional distress; embarrassment; loss of life’s pleasures and enjoyment of life,” the suit stated.
“As a direct and proximate result of the individual, joint and/or several negligence and carelessness of defendants, the resulting hazardous condition, decedent’s injuries, decedent underwent extensive reasonable and necessary medical treatments, including 31 stitches to her leg, skin grafting and multiple revision procedures.”
Janet later passed away on Oct. 4, 2020.
On Nov. 8, Walmart filed an answer to the complaint which denied its assertions and added new matter.
“Plaintiffs’ complaint fails to state a cause of action upon which relief can be granted as to Walmart. Plaintiffs’ claims are limited to, barred by, and subject to the Pennsylvania Comparative Negligence Act, 42 Pa.C.S.A. Section 7102 et seq. Walmart pleads the affirmative defenses of assumption of the risk, comparative negligence, and contributory negligence as preserved by Pennsylvania Rule of Civil Procedure 1030. To the extent that may be revealed in discovery, Walmart raises as an affirmative defense the statute of limitations applicable to actions for recovery for personal injury/negligence,” according to the answer.
“Plaintiffs’ claims are barred by plaintiff’s own contributory negligence, recklessness, and/or carelessness, in general, and in the following particulars: In failing to see what was there to be seen; In failing to act in due care and caution for her own safety and in failing to anticipate and/or avoid a known and/or obvious danger. At all times relevant hereto, plaintiff was fully aware of her surroundings and, to the extent any condition existed, such condition, if any, was visible and/or open and obvious to plaintiff. Any injuries, losses, and/or damages allegedly sustained by plaintiff, which injuries, losses, and/or damages are denied, are not the result of any action and/or inaction of Walmart but rather of other persons, including plaintiff.”
The defenses added that, in its view, the decedent was responsible for her own injuries and failed to mitigate injuries and damages.
Walmart filed to remove the case to federal court on Nov. 17, claiming diversity of citizenship between the parties (the plaintiff being based in Pennsylvania and the company being based in Arkansas), and anticipated damages being in excess of the jurisdictional limits of state court.
“Although the Allegheny County arbitration limits are $35,000, the complaint seeks an award in excess of $50,000, but no specific sum is demanded in the complaint. Among other injuries, it is understood that plaintiff claims damages for a serious injury to her leg, including a significant laceration to her leg that required 31 stiches, skin grafting, and multiple revision procedures, as well as severe pain, anxiety, depression and emotional distress, embarrassment, loss of life’s pleasures and enjoyment of life. Plaintiff-husband has also brought a loss of consortium claim,” the removal notice stated.
“Based on these alleged injuries and damages, plaintiffs’ counsel has advised the undersigned counsel that this case is valued in excess of $75,000. As all of the parties to this action are diverse and the amount in controversy exceeds $75,000, this Court has original jurisdiction under the provisions of 28 U.S.C. Section 1332 and this case may be removed to this Court by this defendant pursuant to the provisions of 28 U.S.C. Sections 1441 and 1446.”
UPDATE
Subsequent to a mediation session which concluded in early May, it was noted that the case had been resolved through a proposed settlement between the parties. Terms of the settlement were not disclosed.
On May 10, U.S. Magistrate Judge Maureen P. Kelly ordered the case closed.
“This action has been resolved and the only matter remaining to be completed is the submission of a stipulation for dismissal. It is hereby ordered that the Clerk mark the above-captioned action closed. It is further ordered that the Court expressly retains jurisdiction of this matter to consider any issue arising during the period when such stipulation is being finalized, including but not limited to enforcing any settlement,” Kelly stated.
The plaintiffs were represented by Christine V. Clarke of Kline & Specter, in Blue Bell.
The defendants were represented by Rebecca Sember-Izsak and Brook T. Dirlam of Thomas Thomas & Hafer, in Pittsburgh.
U.S. District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania case 2:21-cv-01684
Allegheny County Court of Common Pleas case GD-21-011461
From the Pennsylvania Record: Reach Courts Reporter Nicholas Malfitano at nick.malfitano@therecordinc.com