Kmart sued for $900,000 after shopper slips in water

A St. Tammany Parish woman is suing Kmart for more than $900,000 after she slipped in water and fell.

Celestine Burrell filed suit against Kmart Corp. on July 29 in St. Tammany Parish District Court. The defendant removed the case to federal court in New Orleans on Sept 7.

The alleged incident occurred on Sept. 10, 2010 as Burrell was shopping at the Giant Kmart store in Mandeville. She states she slipped and fell because of a substantial quantity of water which was between the checkout counters at the front of the store and the drink or ice machine at the front wall of the store.

According to the complaint, the water was in plain view of at least two cashiers then on duty.

The plaintiff is asking for more than $900,000 in damages for medical expenses, lost wages, loss of earning capacity, physical pain and suffering, mental anguish, emotional distress, disfigurement, disability, scarring, court costs and interest.

Burrell is represented by Michael Hingle and Donald G. D'Aunoy of Michael Hingle & Associates in Covington and Scott E. Silbert of Silbert & Garon in New Orleans. A jury trial is requested.

Case No. 2:11-cv-02239