Case Background
This legal dispute began following an incident on November 7, 2022, at a Publix Super Market located at 8842 West State Road 84 in Davie, Florida. Darryl Haile brought the lawsuit on behalf of his minor daughter, T. Haile, asserting that the grocery chain failed to maintain a safe environment for its shoppers. The family had visited the store as business invitees when the afternoon took a turn for the worse.
Cause
The heart of the complaint centered on a slip-and-fall accident. While walking through the store with her father, T. Haile encountered a liquid substance on the floor. The Plaintiff alleged that the liquid created a hazardous condition that the store staff should have identified and cleaned. Specifically, the legal team for the Haile family argued that Publix breached its duty of care by failing to warn customers of the danger or placing necessary barricades and "wet floor" signs around the spill.
Injury
As a result of the fall, T. Haile reportedly sustained what the complaint described as severe and permanent physical and mental injuries. The impact of the slip led to a range of complications, including physical impairment, disfigurement, and a loss of the capacity to enjoy life. The Plaintiff also claimed the accident resulted in the permanent aggravation of a pre-existing condition, requiring ongoing medical attention and incurring significant hospital bills.
Damages Sought
Darryl Haile sought compensation exceeding $75,000 to cover the extensive costs associated with his daughter’s recovery. The damages requested spanned past and future medical expenses, as well as non-economic damages for pain and suffering, mental anguish, and the loss of future earning capacity.
Key Arguments and Proceedings
The litigation moved through the 17th Judicial Circuit Court in Broward County under Judge William W. Haury, Jr. Throughout the proceedings, the focus remained on whether Publix had actual or constructive knowledge of the spill before the accident occurred.
Legal Representation
Plaintiff(s): Darryl Haile, as Parent and Natural Guardian of T. Haile, a minor.
· Counsel for Plaintiff(s): Jordan Kirby | Brandon Lavery | Sofia Tarafa Jordi | Michael J Arzillo | James Edward O'Connell
Defendant(s): Publix Super Markets, Inc.
· Counsel for Defendant(s): Jason A. Glusman | George Michael
· Experts for Defendant(s): Daniel Cousin | Stephen Jacobs
Claims
The Haile family built their case on the premise of premises liability. They argued that Publix staff had been negligent in their maintenance and upkeep of the Davie location. The Plaintiff’s team contended that the liquid had remained on the floor for a sufficient length of time that the store should have discovered it through reasonable care. They suggested the store lacked a proper inspection routine, which allowed the hazard to persist until T. Haile stepped into it.
Defense
Publix Super Markets, Inc. filed a vigorous defense, denying nearly all allegations of negligence. The company’s legal team argued that the store had provided a reasonably safe environment and that any hazardous condition was "open and obvious," meaning the Plaintiff should have seen and avoided it in the exercise of reasonable care. Publix also raised several affirmative defenses, suggesting that T. Haile’s own negligence was the sole or contributing cause of the incident. They further argued that if any damages existed, they were the result of pre-existing conditions or the actions of third parties rather than store mismanagement.
Jury Verdict
After hearing the evidence presented by both sides during the trial in September 2025, the jury deliberated to reach a final decision. On September 18, 2025, the foreperson, Mark Daber, delivered the jury’s findings to the Court.
The jury considered the primary question of whether Publix Super Markets, Inc. had committed negligence that served as a legal cause of injury to T. Haile. The jurors ultimately determined that the store was not negligent in the matter. By checking "NO" on the first question of the verdict form, the jury concluded the case in favor of the supermarket chain.
Because the jury found no negligence on the part of the Defendant, they did not proceed to calculate damages for medical expenses or pain and suffering. Following this verdict, Judge William W. Haury, Jr. issued a Final Judgment on September 19, 2025. The Court ordered that T. Haile would take nothing from the action and that Publix would go "hence without day," effectively closing the liability portion of the case. The Court did, however, retain jurisdiction to handle future motions regarding attorney's fees and legal costs.
Court Documents
