The Puerto Rico Court of Appeals recently ruled against Transform SR Operations LLC in a negligence case stemming from the tragic electrocution of a five-year-old boy, Sebastián Calderón Cintrón, at a Sears store in Caguas. The court's decision, issued on August 7, 2026, affects the families involved and raises questions about liability in similar cases.
The case began when the boy suffered a fatal electric shock while near a display of sunglasses at the Sears located in Las Catalinas Mall on February 28, 2020. The court's ruling could have significant implications for how negligence is determined in commercial settings, particularly regarding the responsibilities of property owners and tenants.
Background
The parties involved in the case are Joshua David Calderón Sánchez and Lorraine Melissa Cintrón Ocasio, who represent their son Sebastián and other family members, and Transform SR Operations LLC, along with Urban Edge Properties and Sears Roebuck Puerto Rico Inc. The dispute centers around the circumstances leading to Sebastián's death and the alleged negligence of Transform in maintaining safe electrical conditions in the store.
According to the court documents, the family filed a lawsuit on January 13, 2021, claiming that Transform and other defendants were responsible for the conditions that led to the electrocution. The family argued that the defendants failed to maintain the escalators and electrical systems properly, resulting in the tragic incident. The case moved through the legal system, with Transform seeking a summary judgment to dismiss the claims against it, asserting that it was not responsible for the incident.
The Ruling
The Court of Appeals ultimately denied Transform's request for a summary judgment, which would have dismissed the case without a full trial. The court found that there were genuine issues of material fact that warranted further examination. The ruling stated, "the death of the minor was caused by the negligence of Transform," indicating that the court believed there was enough evidence to suggest Transform may be liable.
Judge Bonilla Ortiz, along with Judges MartÃnez Cordero and Robles Adorno, presided over the case. The court emphasized that while Transform claimed it was not responsible, the evidence suggested that the electrical conditions leading to the electrocution were indeed linked to Transform's maintenance of the electrical systems in the store.
Impact
This ruling is significant as it highlights the responsibilities of commercial property owners and operators to maintain safe environments for customers. The court's decision reinforces that liability may not solely rest with the immediate operator of a space but can extend to property owners who have a duty to ensure safety standards are met.
The implications of this ruling could affect not only the parties involved in this case but also set a precedent for future negligence claims in Puerto Rico. It underscores the importance of electrical safety and the maintenance obligations of businesses operating within commercial properties. The ruling may prompt businesses to reevaluate their safety protocols and maintenance practices to avoid similar legal challenges.
What's Next
Transform may appeal the court's decision, but details on any potential appeal were not available in the court filing. The case will proceed to a hearing where evidence will be presented regarding the alleged negligence and any intervening causes that may mitigate Transform's liability.