Cruz - Reyna

In July 2021, Reyna Cruz was walking through a Costco food court when she slipped on a spilled smoothie. The fall was severe, resulting in injuries to her neck, back, knee, and wrist. What began as a routine shopping trip ended with back surgery and a life-altering recovery process.

When Reyna filed a negligence claim, the core of the dispute wasn’t whether she fell—surveillance footage confirmed that—but whether Costco had "constructive notice." In plain English: Had the spill been there long enough that the staff should have seen it and cleaned it up?. The Legal Hurdle: Summary Judgment reyna cruz

Initially, the district court sided with Costco. They argued there was no proof of how long the smoothie had been on the floor, meaning Costco hadn't breached its duty to keep the premises safe. For many, this would have been the end of the road. But Reyna and her legal team didn't back down. A Victory for the "Ordinary Person" In July 2021, Reyna Cruz was walking through

While we should all watch our step, businesses have a non-negotiable duty to exercise "ordinary care" for their patrons. When Reyna filed a negligence claim, the core

This ruling is a win for consumer safety. it reinforces that businesses can't simply claim ignorance if they aren't actively monitoring their high-traffic areas. Lessons from Reyna’s Journey