Rain sodden carpet at Home Depot allegedly causes customer’s slip and fall

GRETNA – A corporate hardware store is being sued by a customer who claims she was injured in a slip and fall on a rain sodden carpet.

Joachlyn Morales filed suit against Home Depot USA Inc. in the 24th Judicial District Court on May 2.

Morales claims that on May 10, 2013 at 1 p.m., after it had been raining earlier in the day, she was a patron at the Home Depot located at 4600 Lapalco Blvd. in Marrero. She claims she stepped into the main store from the garden center and stepped off of the carpet and into the store when her foot slid on water surrounding the carpet and she fell to the floor. The plaintiff alleges she received injuries, including a broken right foot, in the incident.

The defendant is accused of failing to supervise the area, failing to keep a clear pathway at all times, disregarding the safety of others, failing to notice the imminence of an accident and avoiding to take the steps to avoid an accident, creating a trap, improper and inadequate maintenance of the premises, maintaining a defective premises and failing to warn of the defect on the premises.

An unspecified amount in damages is sought for medical expenses, pain and suffering, loss of enjoyment of life and lost wages.

Morales is represented by Michael G. Fanning of Gretna-based Grant & Barrow.

The case has been assigned to Division I Judge Nancy A. Miller.

Case no. 738-040.