DONALDSONVILLE - An Ascension Parish woman is suing a national hardware store for injuries she claims occurred on its premises.
Kathryn Gautreau filed suit on May 29, 2012 against Lowe's Home Centers, Inc and Rob Davis, the supervisor of the store. Gautreau claims she was shopping at the Lowe's located at 12484 Airline Highway in Gonzales when a pre-fabricated display shelving unit loaded with merchandise suddenly fell on her left foot.
The plaintiff alleges the incident resulted in a severe and debilitating injury including a laceration, fracture to her foot, pain and swelling and disability. Gautreau asserts she did not touch the piece of shelving before it fell on her foot.
Davis is said to have reconfigured the shelving one week before the incident occurred.
The defendants are accused of failing to use reasonable and ordinary methods to keep the premises in a safe and suitable condition, failing to use reasonable care in discovering the hazard, failing to implement safety protocols, failing to require placement of merchandise in a safe position, failing to take adequate protective measures against an unreasonably dangerous condition and failing to warn plaintiff of hazard, failing to use safe shelving.
An unspecified amount in damages is sought for medical bills, pain and suffering, permanent physical damage and impairment, functional disability, disfigurement, mental anguish, loss of enjoyment of life, loss of wages and employment benefits and loss and diminution of wage earning capacity.
Gautreau is represented by Baton Rouge-based attorney Dennis A. Pennington.
The case has been assigned to Division B Judge Thomas Kliebert, Jr.
Case number 103866.