The widow of a Turlock Safeway worker who died from COVID-19 has filed a lawsuit against the supermarket alleging wrongful death and negligence.
Norma Zuliga is claiming that her 52-year-old husband Pedro Zuniga contracted the virus while working in a dangerous environment at Safeway’s Tracy Distribution Center in California.
It is alleged that at least 51 workers at the facility tested positive for COVID-19.
Norma is going after punitive and general damages from Safeway and its parent company, Albertsons Companies.
The complaint was filed on May 13 in Alameda County Superior Court but it only reached the news this week.
The lawsuit alleges that Safeway threatened to discipline Pedro and his co-workers after they expressed concern about the lack of personal protective equipment and how closely they had to work.
Norma is also accusing the company of:
- Failing to screen employees who displayed COVID-19 symptoms
- Requiring employees to work longer shifts
- Using demerit points to prevent workers from calling in sick
- Failing to put safety measures like sanitation stations in place until after Pedro’s death
An attorney for the family said Safeway prioritized profits and production over employee protection.
Pedro, a father of five, worked in the produce department for around 22 years. He tested positive for COVID-19 sometime after April 1 and was placed in a medically induced coma for a week. He died on April 13, according to the lawsuit.
Back in April, a Safeway representative said the Tracy Distribution Center carried out temperature checks before employees entered the facility and urged those who felt unwell to remain at home.
The company also said it cleaned and disinfected touchpoints and locations when officials learned of positive cases.
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