An Ocala woman claims she was struck from behind by a line of shopping carts being pushed by an employee at a local Publix, leaving her with permanent injuries and costing her thousands of dollars in medical bills.
Attorneys filed the civil complaint in the Fifth Judicial Circuit Court of Marion County on June 18, on behalf of the plaintiff, Darlene Maria Colucci.
The lawsuit stems from an event that allegedly occurred on December 7, 2024, at the Publix located in Heath Brook Commons (5400 SW College Road) in Ocala.
The complaint states that Colucci had just entered the store’s vestibule area. After selecting a shopping cart from the standing line, she was waiting to move forward into the main shopping area when a store associate pushing a stack of shopping carts allegedly struck her from behind.
The lawsuit accuses Publix and its agents of breaching their duty to maintain a reasonably safe environment for customers. It alleges that employees failed to keep a safe environment and directly caused a dangerous condition by allowing the shopping carts to collide with the plaintiff.
As a result of the collision, the complaint alleges that Colucci suffered significant bodily injury, resulting in physical pain and suffering, mental anguish, disability, disfigurement, and a loss of capacity for the enjoyment of life.
The filing further states that she has incurred expenses for hospitalization, medical treatment, and potential surgery, while also suffering lost wages and a loss of future earning capacity. Colucci claims these losses are permanent or continuing in nature.
Colucci has requested a trial by jury to resolve the matter and she is seeking damages in excess of $50,000 for injuries sustained during the incident.