T.J. Maxx review: Elderly abuse and age discrimination

STATEMENT OF EVELYN ... RE: ELDERLY ABUSE AT TJ MAXX

601 13TH ST. NW. WASHINGTON, DC. Store #1206

9/18/2023 between 4:30 and 5:00 pm

I was downstairs shopping at the store and got back in line to make additional purchases of needed items. When I went to get back in line, there was a long line and I decided to go upstairs to check out my purchases. On the 2nd floor, I went to the counter in handbags and accessories. I was pleased with my purchases and feeling good. When I placed my items down on the counter, near the cash register, the cashier was at the other end of the counter talking with a co-worker that I recognized from downstairs. I waited to be served.

The cashier ordered me to put the items down on her side in an extremely unpleasant voice. I was momentarily stunned by her behavior and visibly shaken. She repeated her order in a loud voice and I told her that I heard her but had to pace myself. The co-worker observed the entire situation. I’m 80+ and suffer from _______ and ___________. The cashier stared at me belligerently as I attempted to move my items. At this point I felt threatened by the cashier’s body language. The cashier literally grinned and laughed in my face.

I started taking deep breaths to try and calm down and told them they really don’t know how causing a panic attack can negatively affect a person’s medical condition. I requested to speak to a manager as the cashier continued to ‘stare me down.’ The co-worker went back downstairs and shortly after a young woman came upstairs, tapped me on the shoulder and told me to calm down after observing my physical condition and reaction to the ongoing threatening behaviors.She said there was no manager available at the moment and I needed to come back tomorrow. I then asked her to file an incident report and she paused and didn’t answer. The co-worked told her I could write down my complaint and she shoved a piece of notebook paper in front of me.

I attempted to write down my report and became overwhelmed and weakened by the situation. I could only write down one word and still have the note paper. The young woman went back downstairs and I asked someone to call an ambulance, as my condition worsened. I called DC Fire and Rescue myself.

Finally, as I waited for the ambulance, the 2nd female employee from downstairs checked out my purchased items. The ambulance rushed me to GW hospital emergency room and I was treated for aphasia and left-sided facial droops. This is truly one of the worst experiences of my life!