Family Dollar sued over trip and fall incident

NEW ORLEANS – A local women is suing the Family Dollar retail chain of after tripping and falling in one of  its stores.

Suzanne Offray filed suit against Family Dollar Stores of LA, Inc. in the Orleans Parish Civil District Court on Nov. 15. The plaintiff alleges that on Aug. 28 she tripped on a case of water that was in the aisle of the store. Offray fell backwards over the water, which she claims was left in the aisle by an employee. She sustained injuries to her back, right leg and humerus as well as numerous contusions and abrasions, the suit claims.

Family Dollar is accused of negligence for the creation of an unreasonable risk of harm, tripping, slipping and/or falling hazard, presence of a tripping, slipping and/or falling hazard, creating or causing a dangerous condition to exist on premises, failing to exercise reasonable and ordinary care under the circumstances, negligently leaving a case of water in its store aisle, allowing this dangerous condition to go unnoticed by employees and failing to adequately inspect premises and its surrounding area.

At least $50,000.00 in damages is sought for medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, mental anguish and distress and loss of enjoyment of life.

The plaintiff is represented by Leonard J. Cline of Metairie.

The case has been assigned to Division F Judge Christopher J. Bruno.

Case No. 2012-10690.