New York Grandmother Seeks Evidence for Lawsuit After Slipping on Broccoli at Costco

POLICY WIRE — New York, USA — A Queens grandmother is preparing for a legal battle against Costco following an accident where she allegedly slipped on a piece of broccoli.

Felicia Romain, 64, was shopping at a Long Island warehouse location with her grandson and son when the incident occurred, according to court documents reviewed by The Independent.

The filing states that the fall on July 10 resulted in a fractured knee for Romain, which subsequently required surgical intervention.

Her legal representative has filed a pre-action petition to obtain critical evidence, including bodycam footage from first responders and the store’s own security recordings.

The attorney is also seeking any written statements, tapes, or recordings provided to emergency personnel regarding the event.

The petition argues that requesting these records before formally starting a lawsuit is a standard legal procedure and is essential for Romain to prove the facts of the case and protect her legal rights.

Additionally, the filing requests a court order to ensure that no relevant audio or video evidence is erased while the matter is pending.

Costco has been contacted for a response to the allegations.

This incident follows a series of high-profile legal challenges facing the retailer. Last year, a Nebraska jury awarded a woman over $3.6 million after a Costco employee dropped a patio table on her back.

While Costco attributed the accident to the customer’s own negligence and appealed the verdict in July, claiming the payout was too high, the jury found the company liable for permanent nerve and neck damage.

In another 2025 case, a Northern California shopper sought more than $14 million in damages after a liquor display collapsed on her, causing a traumatic brain injury.

That plaintiff requested $9 million for pain and suffering and $5 million for emotional distress, alongside lost wages and medical costs, before the case moved to arbitration.

A separate incident involving a falling carton of toilet paper resulted in a payout of over $1 million for a woman who suffered a broken leg that required surgery and metal pins.

Similar liability claims have surfaced at other establishments, such as a federal lawsuit against Outback Steakhouse in Virginia.

Tracy J. Renshaw, 56, is seeking $1.5 million after slipping on mashed potatoes while walking to the restroom, alleging the restaurant failed to warn guests of the dangerous floor condition.

Roberta DiGangi of The Cochran Firm, the attorney representing Romain, has not responded to requests for comment.

Reporting by Policy-Wire (PW)