HAGÅTÑA (The Guam Daily Post) — A woman was awarded a total of $2,751,000 in a lawsuit against Cost-U-Less for injuries she sustained after slipping and falling on a wet floor.
On May 4, 2020, Juanita Arceo went to Cost-U-Less Express in Chalan Pago when “she slipped and fell on a wet slippery floor” that had no signage and ultimately led to Arceo being hospitalized, according to a complaint filed against the grocery store in June the same year.
Arceo, as a result of the lawsuit, received compensation due to Cost-U-Less’ negligence “in its duty to exercise reasonable care to maintain” safety in the grocery store. The amount of compensation in the complaint was to be determined at a trial, court documents state.
Last week, according to a news release from Arceo’s counsel Pacific Legal Team, a trial was conducted from Dec. 11 to Dec. 19. Six jurors deliberated and determined Arceo should be awarded a total of $2,751,000.
The compensation includes various amounts for economic damages, physical impairment, pain and suffering, inconvenience and loss of enjoyment of life, according to the release.
“This success comes after an arduous legal journey of over three years since Ms. Arceo was injured,” the release stated. Pacific Legal Team called the case a “momentous victory” and a “landmark case.”
Pacific Legal Team also expressed their appreciation to the jury and Judiciary of Guam for their roles in bringing the case to a close.
“It has been a long and challenging journey, and we are deeply thankful to the court and the dedicated members of the jury who worked diligently to ensure that justice prevailed,” Arceo’s lead counsel Victorino Torres stated in the release.
“We are also fortunate to have a legal system in Guam that allows for a faster resolution of cases, ultimately benefiting our clients,” Torres added in the release.
A banner welcomes customers to Cost-U-Less Express along Route 4 in Chalan Pago on Sunday, Oct. 28, 2018.
