Assault
Costco Wins Battery Lawsuit from Customer Zaki Jones
In a premises liability case filed in Santa Clara County, California, Plaintiff Zaki Jones sued Costco Wholesale Corporation and an employee, "Miguel Doe." The case stemmed from an alleged incident on August 15, 2023, involving a physical altercation with an employee during an exit interaction. Jones claimed the employee slapped his hand to knock his phone away after a dispute over receipt checking and managerial conduct. Jones filed suit for battery/assault and alleged discrimination based on ethnicity and sexual orientation, seeking $25,000 in punitive damages. Following a trial that concluded on September 15, 2025, the jury rendered a verdict in favor of Costco.