Barnwell v. CLP Corp.

235 So. 3d 238
CourtSupreme Court of Alabama
DecidedApril 21, 2017
Docket1151329
StatusPublished
Cited by5 cases

This text of 235 So. 3d 238 (Barnwell v. CLP Corp.) is published on Counsel Stack Legal Research, covering Supreme Court of Alabama primary law. Counsel Stack provides free access to over 12 million legal documents including statutes, case law, regulations, and constitutions.

Bluebook
Barnwell v. CLP Corp., 235 So. 3d 238 (Ala. 2017).

Opinion

PARKER, Justice.

Andrew Barnwell appeals a summary judgment entered by the Calhoun Circuit Court (“the circuit court”) in favor of CLP Corporation (“CLP”).

Facts and Procedural History

CLP owns and operates a McDonald’s fast-food restaurant (“the restaurant”). The following facts are derived from Barn-well’s deposition testimony. On April 25, 2013, Barnwell visited the restaurant. [239]*239Barnwell stated that after he entered the restaurant, he went straight to the restroom to wash his hands. Barnwell’s deposition testimony explains what happened next:

,. “[Barnwell:] I just come out and started walking straight back and the door— the entrance door would be on my left and the counter would be on the right.
“[CLP’s trial counsel:] What happened after that?
“[Barnwell:] I had—I was going to turn and go to the counter, I planted ray-left foot. When I did, it just kind, of slipped out from under me sort of side-, ways and I went back down on my left hip and pushed myself just kind of all one motion, just down and hit and then back up.
“[CLP’s trial counsel:] I’m going to walk through what we just talked about. You’re coming out of the restroom and you’re going to make a right turn to head towards the counter?
“[Barnwell:] Yes.
[CLP’s trial counsel:] I take it you’re headed to the counter. Were you going to order?
“[Barnwell:] Yes.
“[CLP’s trial counsel:-] And you plant your left foot?
“[Barnwell:] Right.
“[CLP’s trial counsel:] What happens immediately after you plant your- left foot?
“[Barnwell:] It slides away from me.
“[CLP’s trial counsel:] And you’re indicating it went out sideways?
“[Barnwell:] Yes.
“[CLP’s trial counsel:] And that it went out from underneath you?
“[Barnwell:] Yes.
“[CLP’s trial counsel:] What happens after the left foot comes out from underneath you?
“[Barnwell:] I just go down that way and kind of hit on my hip sort of turned like that and then I stuck my hands and pushed myself and I got back up.
“[CLP’s trial counsel:] So your left foot goes out from underneath you?
“[Barnwell:] Right.
“[CLP’s trial counsel:] You fall to the ground?
“[Barnwell:] Right, and I’m trying to put my hand out.
“[CLP’s trial counsel:] You’re indicating when you’re falling to the ground you put your hand out to catch you?
“[Barnwell:] Yes.
“[CLP’s trial counsel:] Was it just one of your hands or both?
“[Barnwell:] Just one.
“[CLP’s trial counsel:] Your left hand?
' “[Barnwell:] Right.
“[CLP’s trial counsel:] Do you catch yourself with your left hand?
“[Barnwell:] I maké impact and I’m kind' of trying to push up when I hit.
“[CLP’s trial counsel:] I think you had also said, does your left hip make contact with the ground?
“[Barnwell:] Right.
“[CLP’s trial counsel:] You go to the ground, you tried to brace the fall with your; left hand, made contact with your left hip, what is the next thing you do after, that?
- “[Barnwell:] I started pushing- myself up.
“[CLP’s trial counsel:] How long would you say you were on the ground?
“[Barnwell:] Instantly back up.
“[CLP’s trial counsel:] What happens after you’re able to get yourself back ' up?
“[Barnwell:] I just .stand there. I’m sort of addled. I know you may not know what that word means.
“[CLP’s trial counsel:] I’m with you..
“[Barnwell:] Kind of shook up.
[240]*240“[CLP’s trial counsel:] You stand-dn the spot where you had fallen a minute ago?.
“[Barnwell:] Yes.
“[CLP’s trial counsel:] How long would you say you just kind of stood there?
“[Barnwell:] I don’t know.
“[CLP’s trial counsel:] What happens after you’re able to get your bearings?
“[Barnwell:] I head to the counter.”

Barnwell’s deposition testimony states that, once he arrived at the counter, there were a couple of people ahead of him in line; Barnwell waited to place his order. Barnwell’s deposition testimony indicates that, once he reached the front of the line and was asked for his order, he was not able to order because he was “just sort of disillusioned.” Barnwell .stated that the cashier asked him if he was “okay.” Barn-well indicated that he responded in the affirmative to the cashier’s question by nodding his head. Barnwell then left the restaurant without ordering.

CLP presented as evidence two digital files containing surveillance-video footage taken from two different cameras in the restaurant. The surveillance-video cameras recorded two different, but partially overlapping, parts of the restaurant. The surveillance-video footage from both cameras is a simultaneous recording of the same time. It is-evident from pictures included in the record that the surveillance-video cameras did not capture the entirety of the interior of the restaurant. Specifically, the surveillance-video cameras did not provide footage of the area of the restaurant immediately outside the restroom Barnwell was exiting. The surveillance-video footage from that date and time shows several employees and patrons. The surveillance-video foothge from one. of the cameras shows an employee mopping the floor immediately in front of the counter at which restaurant patrons placed their orders; the employee placed a warning sign in the area he had mopped indicating that the floor was wet. The surveillance-video footage from both cameras does not include footage of anyone slipping and falling to the floor of the restaurant. Apparently, Barnwell appears in the surveillance-video footage; however, there is no affidavit testimony accompanying the surveillance-video footage to explain its contents, and it is unclear which of the people appearing in the surveillance-video footage is Barnwell. The surveillance-video footage from one of the cameras does show a patron slipping on the recently mopped floor in the restaurant in front of the counter; that person is apparently Barnwell.

After viewing the surveillance-video footage, Barnwell submitted an affidavit, which states, in pertinent part:

“Those clips do not show the slip and fall, which I believe primarily caused my injuries, but where I again slipped as I was going to get in line at the counter.

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Barnwell v. CLP Corp.
264 So. 3d 841 (Supreme Court of Alabama, 2018)

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Bluebook (online)
235 So. 3d 238, Counsel Stack Legal Research, https://law.counselstack.com/opinion/barnwell-v-clp-corp-ala-2017.