Woman claims foreign substances to blame for fall

An Orleans Parish woman is suing a local grocery story after she says she slipped and fell on the floor.

Jacqueline Bates is accusing Rouse's Food Market and its employees of negligence after she allegedly slipped and fell in an "accumulation of foreign substances" on the floor. Bates filed a lawsuit against Rouse's Enterprises, doing business as Rouse's Food Market and Liberty Mutual Fire Insurance Co. May 25 in Orleans Parish District Court.

Bates says she sustained injuries to "various parts of her body" during the fall.

Bates accuses Rouse's of failing to maintain its premises, failing to properly maintain and inspect its premise, for failing to have adequate warnings in place to warn customers of dangerous areas and for allowing foreign substances to be on the floor.

Bates is seeking damages for pain, suffering, mental anguish, medical expenses, lost wages, interest and court costs.

New Orleans attorneys Robert T. Hughes and Ryan J. Hughes are representing Bates.

Judge Lloyd J. Medley is assigned to the case.

Case No. 10-5285