Convenience store chain 7-Eleven Canada has been ordered to pay a substantial sum in damages following a customer accident. The incident occurred in Smithers, British Columbia, in the spring of 2018.
Crystal Tommy, then 35, stopped at a 7-Eleven store in Smithers, a small town approximately 670 kilometers north of Vancouver. What began as a routine coffee run ended in a life-altering accident when Tommy tripped on a pothole in the store’s parking lot.
The fall resulted in a broken ankle in three places, leading to years of health complications for Tommy. Previously an active individual employed at a plant nursery, she found herself unable to return to her physically demanding job, which involved handling 20 to 50 pounds of seedling trees for reforestation projects.
In a recent ruling, B.C. Supreme Court Justice Emily Burke found 7-Eleven Canada liable for Tommy’s injuries and their consequences. The court ordered the retailer to pay approximately $907,000 in damages.
While 7-Eleven Canada denied liability for the incident and disputed Tommy’s claims, the court’s decision was based on a thorough examination of the evidence. Justice Burke noted that 7-Eleven failed to demonstrate a “reasonable system of inspection and maintenance” for its premises.
The ruling revealed that 7-Eleven’s safety procedures, which included an online safety course for employees, lacked enforcement mechanisms. This oversight in safety protocols played a crucial role in the court’s decision, emphasizing the need for retailers to implement and strictly adhere to comprehensive safety measures.
The damages awarded to Tommy cover various aspects of her post-accident life, including $494,000 for future loss of income and $175,000 for pain and suffering. The figures reflect the long-term impact of the incident on Tommy’s professional and personal life.
