Ernesto Raymundo-Lazaro v. Autozone

Summary

A Nevada state court jury heard openings August 7 in a lawsuit seeking $10 million and unspecified punitive damages filed by man claiming he suffered brain, neck and shoulder injuries after an Autozone employee punched him in the face while attempting to purchase a car part.

Plaintiff Ernesto Raymundo-Lazaro and his wife, Guadalupe Ventura Gomez, sued Autozone after the 2022 assault claiming the company bears responsibilities for the conduct of former employee Jose Guerra, who was convicted on criminal battery charges stemming from the incident, since it occurred during the scope of his official duties.

They allege a store manager failed to intervene during the escalating verbal exchange that preceded the attack, but Autozone maintains Guerra completed assisting the couple and was on his way to clock out, which they argue absolves the company of any vicarious liability for Raymundo-Lazaro’s supposed injuries.