According to the filing, Gotkin visited the Publix located at 9239 West Atlantic Avenue on July 11, 2025. While shopping at the store, she allegedly slipped and fell on a “transient foreign substance” on the floor located at or near the freezer containing bags of ice. The lawsuit contends that the flooring in that specific area was poorly maintained and constituted an unreasonably dangerous condition for customers.
The complaint includes a long list of alleged failures by the supermarket giant, including a failure to adequately inspect the floor or warn customers of the danger. Attorneys for Gotkin argue that Publix failed to enforce its own corporate policies, specifically the “don’t pass it up, pick/clean it up” rule regarding floor hazards. The lawsuit further argues that the store should have assigned specific employees to solely monitor the floor for hazards, citing the safety precautions implemented during the COVID-19 pandemic when staff were assigned specifically to clean shopping carts.
As a direct result of the incident, Gotkin claims to have suffered bodily injury resulting in pain and suffering, disability, disfigurement, and mental anguish. The filing indicates she has faced expenses for hospitalization and medical care, as well as a loss of earnings and the ability to earn money in the future. The plaintiff alleges that these losses are either permanent or continuing…