Exclusive: New York grandmother threatens lawsuit after slipping on broccoli at Costco

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it’s investigating the financials of Elon Musk’s pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, ‘The A Word’, which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

A New York grandmother is threatening a lawsuit against Costco after claiming she slipped on a piece of broccoli and badly injured herself while shopping at the discount warehouse club.

Felicia Romain was “traversing the aisle with her son and grandson” at a Costco on Long Island when she wiped out on the wayward floret, according to a court filing reviewed by The Independent.

Romain, 64, of Queens, New York City, fractured her knee in the July 10 incident, requiring surgery, says the filing, a pre-action petition by her attorney seeking access to the store’s security video, along with bodycam footage from first responders on the scene.

In addition, Romain’s lawyer is requesting any tapes, recordings or written statements about the alleged incident given to emergency officials.

The petition explains that it is “sound and routine legal practice” to request the records “prior to the formal commencement of a lawsuit.” Having them, the petition goes on, requires a court order and is “crucial to [Romain’s] ability to protect her rights and prove what occurred to her.”

A Costco aisle allegedly proved perilous for one New York grandmother, who needed knee surgery after slipped on broccoli at one of the discount warehouse stores on Long Island (AFP via Getty Images)

It also requests that none of the video or audio be deleted while the case is pending.

The Independent has contacted Costco for comment.

Last year, a Nebraska woman sued after a Costco employee dropped a patio table on her back while loading it into her vehicle, causing permanent neck and nerve damage.

Costco denied responsibility, blaming the shopper for “her own negligence.”

Still, a jury awarded her more than $3.6 million in damages, prompting an appeal in July from the chain arguing the verdict was excessive.

Also in 2025, a Costco shopper in Northern California sued for more than $14 million after a liquor display fell on her. The woman said in court papers that the impact caused a traumatic brain injury, and sought $9 million for pain and suffering, plus $5 million for emotional distress, as well as additional damages for medical expenses and lost wages.

The case was referred to arbitration.

A Costco aisle proved perilous for one New York grandmother, who claims she needed a knee operation after slipping on broccoli while shopping (AFP via Getty Images)

Another Costco shopper was awarded more than $1 million after breaking her leg while attempting to move a package of toilet paper from a shelf, which caused the entire carton to fall, knocking her down.

The woman required surgery and was in an external brace for several months, with metal pins holding her leg together, according to court filings.

Further afield, a Virginia woman making her way to the restroom at an Outback Steakhouse slipped on a pile of mashed potatoes and fell face-first onto the floor, sustaining “serious and permanent injuries” as a result, according to a federal lawsuit first reported by The Independent.

Tracy J. Renshaw, 56, is now seeking $1.5 million from Outback, claiming the presence of the potatoes “created an unreasonably dangerous condition for visitors,” and that “[n]o warning had been posted of the presence of the slippery foreign substance on the floor.”

Romain’s attorney, Roberta DiGangi of The Cochran Firm, did not respond to requests for comment.