Sam’s Club has formally responded to a lawsuit filed by a woman who claims she suffered permanent injuries after slipping on broken eggs at an Ocala location, denying any negligence and arguing the shopper was at fault for not paying attention.
In an answer and affirmative defenses filed on Jan. 7, 2026, Sam’s East, Inc. denied the allegations brought by Ana Cristina Santamaria, asserting that the company did not breach any duties owed to the customer.
The lawsuit, originally filed in November in the Fifth Judicial Circuit Court of Marion County, stems from an incident at the store (3921 SW College Road) on July 24, 2024.
Santamaria alleges she encountered a “hazardous” condition in the form of “broken eggs” on the floor, causing her to slip and sustain “permanent physical injury.” She also claims she incurred hospitalization expenses from the incident.
In its response, the retailer argues that Santamaria was negligent for “failing to take reasonable care for their own safety, including, but not limited to, failing to observe their surroundings.”
Attorneys for the store assert that no dangerous condition existed as described, or if it did, the store had no actual or constructive notice of it as required by Florida law.
The filing also suggests that the broken eggs may have been the result of actions by “third parties not within the control of the Defendant,” potentially implying other shoppers caused the spill.
Attorneys representing the big box grocer challenge the nature of Santamaria’s injuries, alleging they may have been “pre-existing, congenital, or otherwise not the result of the alleged incident.”
Sam’s Club further contends that Santamaria failed to mitigate her damages and noted that she may have already received “collateral source payments” through private insurance, Medicare, or Medicaid to cover her medical bills.
Santamaria is seeking damages in excess of $50,000. She is represented by the Law Office of Nooney, Roberts, Hewett, and Nowicki, based in Jacksonville. Sam’s Club is represented by Cole, Scott & Kissane, P.A. out of Orlando.