HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, Fla. – A Hillsborough County resident has taken legal action against Publix Super Markets, Inc., following a slip-and-fall incident that allegedly occurred at a Sun City Center location last year.
The complaint, filed on February 27, 2026, identifies Paulette Brown as the plaintiff. According to court documents, the incident took place on September 11, 2025, at the Publix situated at 4854 Sun City Center Blvd.
The lawsuit alleges that Brown was visiting the store when she encountered a slippery substance on the floor. The filing claims that Publix breached its duty of care by failing to maintain the premises, neglecting to inspect the flooring for hazards, and failing to warn customers of the dangerous condition.
“The dangerous condition of the slippery substance on the floor was known to the Defendant,” the complaint states. It further asserts that the condition had existed for a sufficient amount of time that the store should have been aware of it through “ordinary care.”
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The legal team representing Brown, led by Westley Lockwood of Morgan & Morgan P.A., argues that the fall resulted in significant bodily injury. The suit lists several damages, including:
- Physical pain and suffering
- Mental anguish and loss of enjoyment of life
- Medical and nursing care expenses
- Loss of earnings and future earning capacity
- Aggravation of previously existing conditions
The plaintiff is seeking a judgment in excess of $50,000, which is the jurisdictional threshold for the Civil Division of the Circuit Court. The filing specifies that the $50,001 figure entered on the civil cover sheet is for clerical purposes, and the final value of the claim is to be determined by a jury.
The complaint also alleges that the grocery chain failed to properly train employees or follow corporate policies regarding floor maintenance and inspections.
A jury trial has been demanded to resolve all issues in the case.
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