Lafayette woman sues store claiming slip and fall incident resulted in miscarriage

NEW ORLEANS - A Lafayette woman has filed a personal injury lawsuit that claims she suffered a miscarriage as a result of slipping and falling in a liquid substance while shopping.

Steianta Sinegal and Melvin Jones III filed suit against DolgenCorp on March 15, 2012 in St. John the Baptist Parish Court. The defendant removed the case to federal court in New Orleans on March 27.

The alleged incident occurred on June 1, 2011 as Steianta Sinegal was walking down an aisle in the Dollar General Store located in Reserve.

She states unexpectedly slipped on an "uncommonly dangerous" liquid substance on the store floor and fell. According to the lawsuit, the accident resulted in Sinegal suffering severe injuries, including a miscarriage.

Sinegal argues that the slip and fall incident was a result of the defendant's negligence and for the failure to provide the premises free from an unreasonable risk of harm.

The defendant is also accused of negligence for failing to provide a safe passageway through which customers could walk, negligently allowing customers into an unsafe area, failing to inspect the premises and clean the area of any liquid, and failing to give warning of the hazard.

The plaintiffs are asking for an award of damages for medical expenses, physical pain and suffering, loss of function, mental anguish, emotional distress, lost wages, diminished earning capacity, special care and services, loss of enjoyment of life, partial disability, miscarriage and wrongful death of her unborn child, loss of the love, affection and companionship of her unborn child, interest and court costs.

Sinegal and Jones are represented by Kenny M. Habetz Jr. of Brandt & Sherman in Lafayette.

Case No. 2:12-cv-0089