Cruz — Reyna

In July 2021, Reyna Cruz was walking through a Costco food court when she slipped on a spilled smoothie. The fall was severe, resulting in injuries to her neck, back, knee, and wrist. What began as a routine shopping trip ended with back surgery and a life-altering recovery process.

Surveillance footage played a massive role in this case. If you're ever injured in a public place, ensuring that evidence is preserved is vital.

Initially, the district court sided with Costco. They argued there was no proof of how long the smoothie had been on the floor, meaning Costco hadn't breached its duty to keep the premises safe. For many, this would have been the end of the road. But Reyna and her legal team didn't back down. A Victory for the "Ordinary Person" reyna cruz

Are you interested in learning more about the set by this case, or CRUZ v. COSTCO WHOLESALE CORPORATION (2025)

We’ve all been there: rushing through a warehouse club, checking off a grocery list, and finally stopping for a quick bite at the food court. It’s a routine part of modern life. But for Reyna Cruz, a simple trip to Costco turned into a multi-year legal battle that recently redefined how we think about "ordinary care" in public spaces. In July 2021, Reyna Cruz was walking through

In a significant turn of events in April 2025, the appellate court reversed the decision. By carefully reviewing surveillance footage—even though it didn't show the exact moment of the spill—the court concluded there were enough "genuine issues of material fact" to let the case proceed to a jury.

This ruling is a win for consumer safety. it reinforces that businesses can't simply claim ignorance if they aren't actively monitoring their high-traffic areas. Lessons from Reyna’s Journey Surveillance footage played a massive role in this case

Legal battles against large corporations are marathons, not sprints. Reyna’s willingness to appeal a summary judgment shows the importance of standing your ground.