Background

An individual shopping in a supermarket slipped and fell on a spilled product.

Services Provided

Rimkus was retained to inspect the store where the incident occurred, review available documents, and prepare a response to another expert witness report.

During the course of our investigation, we conducted a joint inspection of the accident location with another expert, performed coefficient of friction testing on the surface with the spilled substance placed on the floor, and reviewed surveillance video taken by the security cameras of the accident, applicable building codes, incident reports, and other expert reports. We also performed video enhancement to better observe the incident.

Based on our investigation, we concluded the following and provided expert witness testimony at trial.

• A review of the surveillance video shows the source of the liquid was from a child in a shopping cart.
• The shopper slipped on the liquid less than 3 minutes after the fluid was spilled.
• There was not reasonable time or notification for the store to have cleaned up the spill prior to the customer slipping on the spilled substance.