Target found negligent when elderly woman falls over a stepladder in aisle. $1.7 million. San Diego County.

Facts and Background

• Facts and Background:

  On December 8, 2014, plaintiff was Christmas shopping at the Target on Auto Center Parkway in Escondido, California.  While in one of the aisles, plaintiff tripped over a 23-inch tall stepladder, with an approximately 4-foot handle that had been left unattended by Target personnel. The trip caused plaintiff to fall to the ground.

• Plaintiff's Contentions:

  That the stepladder within the aisle was a trip and fall hazard and also that a shopping cart used for cardboard disposal was directly across from the stepladder, creating a narrowed aisle for the plaintiff to navigate.

  Also, that Target negligently destroyed photographic and videotaped evidence of the circumstances surrounding the incident and the subsequent aftermath. 

  Further, that the stepladder should not have been in the aisle. It does not matter whether or not plaintiff saw the stepladder.

  Defense counsel read plaintiff's deposition testimony in which she said that she did see the ladder just before she tripped, and just 'ran into it'.

• Defendant's Contentions:

  That Target was not negligent because its Team Members complied at all times with stocking procedures and the stepladder was an open and obvious visible object within the aisle that was only left unattended for seconds prior to the incident. Furthermore, that plaintiff admitted she saw the ladder multiple times before she fell; and failed to exercise reasonable care knowing she had a history of falls, was a high fall risk, and should have been using her cane or walker to navigate the aisle at the time of the incident. 

  There was no video coverage in the aisle where the incident took place, the video of plaintiff elsewhere in the store was not retained, and no photographs of the scene or plaintiff were taken. 

  Defendant did not dispute that plaintiff fractured her hip in the fall.