In a compelling legal battle, a Pennsylvania woman has taken action against two major corporations following an alleged injury at a convenience store. Brandy Deeter filed a complaint in the Court of Common Pleas of Allegheny County on December 5, 2024, targeting United Refining Company and Country Fair, Inc., accusing them of negligence that resulted in her physical harm.
The lawsuit stems from an incident on June 4, 2024, when Deeter was injured while attempting to fill her cup with Mountain Dew at a soda fountain located within a Country Fair convenience store in Oil City, Pennsylvania. According to the complaint, as she was filling her cup, the sheet or shield of the soda fountain dislodged due to being left unlocked by an employee. This caused a blade inside the shield to slice Deeter's pinky finger. The plaintiff claims that this hazardous condition had existed for an unreasonably long period and accuses both companies of failing to maintain and secure their equipment properly.
Deeter alleges that both United Refining Company and Country Fair were aware or should have been aware of the dangerous condition posed by the soda fountain. She contends that their negligence included failing to lock the machine properly, allowing a hazardous condition to persist, neglecting adequate maintenance and repairs, and not warning customers about potential dangers. Furthermore, she argues that they failed to implement safety mechanisms or train staff adequately to prevent such incidents.
As a result of this alleged negligence, Deeter sustained significant injuries including a one-centimeter laceration requiring stitches on her left pinky finger, numbness and tingling in the affected area, scarring, and other yet-to-be-diagnosed injuries. These injuries have led to financial burdens from medical expenses and loss of earnings capacity due to her inability to work during recovery.
Deeter is seeking compensatory damages within the jurisdictional limits of arbitration for her sustained injuries. She requests actual damages determined at arbitration along with pre-judgment and post-judgment interest. Additionally, she seeks any other relief deemed necessary by the court.
Representing Brandy Deeter are attorneys A.J. Patterson (PA Bar #331944), Patrick Booth (PA Bar #202200), and Eric Chaffin (PA Bar #78725) from Chaffin Luhana LLP based in Pittsburgh. The case will be heard before arbitrators at the Compulsory Arbitration Center in Pittsburgh if it proceeds without settlement. The case ID is CVPDD008S274F511.