A Covina, California resident has been awarded $415,000 by a jury for injuries following a slip and fall accident at an Industry Costco store.  According to sources, the woman, 58, was eating lunch in the food court on April 1, 2009, when she slipped in a puddle of liquid soap and shattered her kneecap.

The jury unanimously voted in favor of the victim, awarding her almost $90,000 for medical expenses, and $325,000 for pain and suffering.   The shattering of her patella has caused the victim to undergo an operation where she had to have her kneecap wired back together, and at least two more operations are probable.  It is likely she will have pain the rest of her life and suffer with partial loss of function and mobility.

Although Costco representatives were not available for comment, the company denies responsibility, suggesting the liquid soap had leaked from a shopping cart.