Maria Torres v. Fred Meyer Stores Inc.

Summary

An Oregon state court jury heard opening statements October 5th in a potentially $33.5 million premises liability lawsuit filed by a woman alleging she sustained a major traumatic brain injury after slipping in a puddle on the floor of a Kroger-owned Fred Meyer Grocery Store.

Plaintiff Maria Torres sued Fred Meyer following a fall in 2023 that she alleges resulted from water leaking through the ceiling from a rooftop parking lot. Her attorneys argue Fred Meyer employees knew about the leak for years without taking action, stating in public court filings they would seek $6 million in compensatory damages and $27.5 million in punitive damages.

Fred Meyer denies any liability for the accident, characterizing the leak as an “emergent” issue that developed too quickly for staff to realistically clean up before Torres fell and suggesting the long-term affects of her brain injury are less severe than described by her attorneys.