A slip-and-fall incident at a retail giant’s store has led to a lawsuit seeking damages exceeding $50,000. On September 4, 2025, Candyce and William Waterfield filed a complaint in the Circuit Court of the Fifteenth Judicial Circuit in Palm Beach County, Florida, against Target Corporation and an unnamed manager referred to as Jane Doe.
The case revolves around an incident that occurred on January 14, 2024, when Candyce Waterfield slipped on a puddle of liquid near checkout aisle 5 at a Target store located at 1760 Palm Beach Lakes Blvd, West Palm Beach. The plaintiffs allege that the liquid originated from a malfunctioning Coca-Cola cooler. They claim that Target Corporation failed to maintain the premises safely and did not provide adequate warnings about the hazardous condition. According to the complaint, “Defendant TARGET had actual and/or constructive knowledge of the unreasonably dangerous condition” and should have taken steps to prevent such accidents.
The plaintiffs argue that Target Corporation breached its duty of care by failing to maintain safe conditions, neglecting to place warning signs, and not addressing the leaking cooler promptly. As a result of this negligence, Candyce Waterfield suffered significant injuries leading to “pain and suffering, disability, disfigurement,” among other damages. The lawsuit also includes claims for loss of consortium by William Waterfield due to his wife’s injuries.
In addition to suing Target Corporation for negligence under a non-delegable duty theory, the plaintiffs have named Jane Doe as a defendant. Jane Doe is described as the manager on duty during the incident with responsibilities for ensuring store safety. The complaint alleges that she had prior knowledge of the cooler’s malfunction but failed to take corrective actions or warn customers like Candyce Waterfield about potential hazards.
The plaintiffs are seeking compensatory damages for both personal injury and loss of consortium claims against both defendants. They demand judgment for amounts exceeding $50,000 along with interest on liquidated damages and attorneys’ fees under applicable statutes or rules.
Representing Candyce and William Waterfield is attorney Scott B. Perry from Murray Guari Trial Attorneys PL based in West Palm Beach. The case has been assigned Case Number 502025CA009023XXXAMB Div: AF in Palm Beach County’s Circuit Court.
