Steven Cope

I hope this letter finds you well. I am writing to inform you of a distressing incident that occurred recently at a Safeway store and to seek your legal counsel on how to proceed with potential legal action against both Safeway and the individual involved. On Aug 5 2024 I visited Safeway with just a few minutes to pick up some gravel for my husband, who is extremely ill and requires constant care. Upon arriving at the checkout, I realized that I had left my money in the truck. In my haste and worry for my husband, I mistakenly placed a bottle of pills in my bag with the intention of quickly retrieving the money from my vehicle. As I exited the store and headed towards my truck, I was suddenly approached by a very large man who frightened me. Without identifying himself or giving any explanation, he aggressively demanded to go through my bag. In my fear and confusion, I attempted to distance myself from him and opened my truck door to get inside. At that moment, the man forcefully slammed the door on my hand and continued to apply pressure despite my pleas for him to stop. The pain was intense, and I repeatedly begged him to let go as he was hurting me. He only released me when my friends, who were in the vehicle with me, intervened. This traumatic experience unfolded in front of my child, adding to the emotional distress I endured. To make matters worse, this man is now charging me with assault, even though I did not lay a finger on him during the incident. The accusation is entirely baseless, as my only actions were in self-defense and out of fear for my safety. Since the incident, I have been suffering from extreme anxiety and have been unable to leave my house. The thought of going out causes me significant fear, and I am deeply concerned about the impact this has had on my well-being and my ability to care for my family. Given the severity of the situation, the false accusation against me, and the ongoing effects on my mental health, I would like to explore the possibility of pursuing legal action against Safeway and the individual who assaulted me. I believe it is necessary to hold them accountable for their actions and the harm they have caused. Please advise on the next steps and how we should proceed. I am eager to resolve this matter and regain a sense of security for myself and my family. Thank you for your attention to this matter. I look forward to hearing from you soon.