In a gripping legal battle unfolding in Ventura County, California, a couple has taken on several major corporations over a slip-and-fall incident that allegedly caused significant injury. The complaint was filed by Annette Benavidez and Hector Ontiveros on February 25, 2025, in the Superior Court of California for the County of Ventura against Yard House USA, Inc., Darden Restaurants, Inc., and other associated entities.
The lawsuit stems from an incident on March 3, 2023, when Annette Benavidez reportedly suffered severe injuries after slipping and falling at the Yard House restaurant located at 501 Collection Boulevard in Oxnard. According to the plaintiffs' allegations, the premises were owned and managed by Yard House USA, Inc., along with Darden Restaurants, Inc., Riverpark Collection LLC, and other defendants. The plaintiffs argue that these companies failed to maintain safe conditions on their property. "Defendants knew or reasonably should have known that the choice of floor at the Premises creates a highly dangerous surface when a liquid type substance is on the floor," states the complaint.
The lawsuit accuses the defendants of general negligence and premises liability for not adequately addressing hazardous conditions that led to Benavidez's fall. The plaintiffs claim that despite being aware of potential dangers posed by slippery floors due to inadequate maintenance policies, no appropriate measures such as warning signs or barriers were put in place to prevent accidents. Furthermore, they allege that economic considerations took precedence over safety concerns: "Defendants consciously... decided that their profits were more valuable... than human suffering."
Benavidez's husband, Hector Ontiveros, also seeks damages for loss of consortium due to his wife's injuries affecting their marital relationship. The couple demands compensatory damages exceeding $35,000 for medical expenses incurred and anticipated future costs related to ongoing treatment needs resulting from this incident.
Represented by attorney Brian G. Beecher from The Law Offices of Arash Khorsandi PC based in Los Angeles; they seek justice through compensatory relief covering special damages like medical bills alongside non-economic losses such as pain and suffering experienced by both parties involved.
This case highlights important issues surrounding business responsibilities towards patrons' safety while navigating complex legal terrain involving multiple corporate entities operating within shared spaces like shopping centers where accidents can occur unexpectedly but with potentially devastating consequences if proper precautions aren't taken seriously enough beforehand—especially when profit motives overshadow public welfare considerations altogether sometimes leading down paths fraught with perilous outcomes indeed!
Attorney Brian G. Beecher represents the plaintiffs in this case filed under Case No. 2025 CUIPOO391 FF before Ventura Superior Court Judge Joan Foster.