A recent court filing has brought a significant negligence case against a major retail corporation, highlighting the ongoing issues of customer safety in commercial properties. On June 7, 2024, Danyale Victor and her husband, Dontae Victor, filed a complaint in the Court of Common Pleas of Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, against J.C. Penney Company, Inc., alleging severe injuries sustained due to hazardous conditions at one of its stores.
According to the complaint filed by the Victors' attorney Laura R. Signorelli from Morgan & Morgan Philadelphia, PLLC, the incident occurred on June 24, 2023. Danyale Victor was visiting the J.C. Penney store located at Monroeville Mall in Monroeville, PA with the intention of purchasing a hat. The lawsuit claims that while she was inside the store, she was directed to look at an item placed above eye level due to either merchandising practices or improper placement. This distraction caused her to trip over a department identification sign that had been negligently placed in a walkway area.
The complaint asserts that J.C. Penney had a duty to maintain their premises in a reasonably safe condition and ensure that all walkways were free from hazardous obstructions. It alleges that the company breached this duty by allowing the sign to remain in an unsafe location and failing to warn customers about it. As a result of this negligence, Danyale Victor suffered multiple injuries including a right knee injury necessitating total knee replacement surgery, aggravation of pre-existing rheumatoid arthritis and left-knee replacement, direct trauma to her stomach area resulting in bruising, and significant pain requiring medical interventions such as steroid injections.
The plaintiffs argue that these injuries have led to substantial losses for Danyale Victor including past and future lost earnings, diminished earning capacity, diminished quality of life, severe pain and difficulty walking among other physical ailments. Additionally, Dontae Victor claims loss of consortium due to his wife's injuries which have deprived him of her services and companionship.
The Victors are seeking compensatory damages exceeding $50,000 for both personal injury and loss of consortium claims along with interest costs and any other relief deemed appropriate by the court.
This case underscores not only individual grievances but also broader concerns about corporate responsibility towards customer safety within retail environments.
Representing them is Laura R. Signorelli from Morgan & Morgan Philadelphia PLLC while no specific defense counsel has been mentioned yet for J.C. Penney Company Inc.. The case will be presided over by judges from Allegheny County’s Court of Common Pleas under Case ID: (not provided).