An Oregon man filed a lawsuit against Costco in Multnomah County Circuit Court. In the lawsuit, the man claims that Costco store security detained him after he refused to show a receipt when leaving a store in Portland. The man alleges that store security hit him that resulted in a broken leg. Reports say that the leg was fractured in multiple places. The lawsuit seeks $500,000 for pain and suffering, $20,000 in lost wages and another $150,000 in medical bills incurred.
The man’s attorney said that the lawsuit was about more than just the broken leg. The attorney suggested that while a store can have a policy of checking receipts at the door, it is unclear how a company is able to respond to a refusal to follow that policy. He suggested that instead of detaining the man, the store could have prohibited him from returning to the store if it suspected him of shoplifting. However, tje attorney said that forcing him to stay at the store was akin to unlawful holding.
In court documents, Costco said that the man attacked store staff first and threw an employee against the wall after refusing to show his receipt. However, the company would not issue an official statement to the media regarding the case.
When an individual suffers an injury as the result of an attack, that person may file a personal injury lawsuit. With the assistance of an attorney, it may be possible to seek compensation economic damages associated with the injury. An attorney may be able to settle the case during negotiations with the defendant or might push the case to trial if necessary.
Source: Business Insider, “Oregon Man Sues Costco, Claims Store Security Broke His Leg “, Courtney Sherwood, September 24, 2014
