Wal-Mart sued by woman who claims labor induced after chair collapse

GRETNA – A New Orleans woman is suing a Metairie Wal-Mart for injuries she claims to have suffered when she sat in one of the store’s chairs and it collapsed beneath her making her going into premature labor.

Jemial K. Nelson filed suit against Wal-Mart Louisiana LLC, Wal-Mart Store #989 and their insurer in the 24th Judicial District Court on Jan. 3.

Nelson claims she was shopping at the Wal-Mart located at 8912 Veterans Memorial Blvd. and sat in a chair to test it out when it collapsed beneath her, which she alleges induced her early labor.

The defendant is accused of creating the hazard by failing to maintain a safe and hazard-free environment, creating a dangerous condition to exist on its premises, failing to use reasonable care commensurate with foreseeable risk of harm, failing to properly inspect the pathways and floor of its establishment and failing to implement adequate inspection and preventative maintenance procedures.

An unspecified amount in damages is sought for an injury to her lower back, premature labor which caused the plaintiff to undergo a cesarean section that left a scar, premature labor that resulted in the plaintiff being hospitalized for a extended period of time, premature birth of her child, premature labor that resulted in her child being in intensive care for an extended period of time, medical expenses, pain and suffering and mental anguish.

Nelson is represented by attorney J. Jacob Goehring of Metairie.

The case has been assigned to Division P Judge Lee V. Faulkner Jr.

Case no. 722-580.