A recent court filing brings to light a personal injury case that could have significant implications for businesses and property management companies. On February 25, 2025, David Adrian Neuhauser III filed a complaint in the Superior Court of California, County of Santa Clara, against IKEA US Retail, LLC and ISS Facility Services, Inc., alleging negligence and premises liability. The case centers around an incident that occurred on December 13, 2023, at an IKEA store in Palo Alto, California.
According to the complaint filed by Neuhauser's attorneys from Wilshire Law Firm, the plaintiff was injured when he tripped and fell due to a wet floor that was being cleaned without appropriate signage. The lawsuit claims that both IKEA US Retail and ISS Facility Services failed in their duty of care by not maintaining safe conditions on the premises. "Defendants owed a duty of reasonable care toward Plaintiff," states the complaint, citing Civil Code §1714(a), which mandates responsibility for injuries caused by lack of ordinary care or skill in property management.
The complaint further alleges that multiple complaints about unsafe conditions were ignored by the defendants as part of a cost-saving measure. Neuhauser accuses both companies of failing to address these issues despite being aware of them through regular inspections. The lawsuit also suggests negligence in hiring practices, stating that employees responsible for cleaning were unfit for their roles due to inadequate training and supervision.
Neuhauser is seeking compensation for medical expenses, economic losses including lost wages, damage to personal property, and pre-trial interest. He is also asking for general damages according to proof presented during trial. The case underscores the importance of adhering to safety protocols and proper employee training in preventing such incidents.
Representing Neuhauser are attorneys Sutton A. Shapiro and Richard Burgos from Wilshire Law Firm. The case has been assigned Case No.: 25CV459889 in the Superior Court of California under Judge M. Arechig's review.