NEW ORLEANS – A customer at a local discount retailer is suing after he allegedly got his hand stuck for 45 minutes in a hole at the checkout counter and had to be freed by the local fire department.
Michael Dorman filed suit against Family Dollar Stores of Louisiana, Inc. and ABC Insurance Company in the Orleans Parish Civil District Court on Aug. 18.
Dorman claims on Aug. 18, 2013, he was a guest at a Family Dollar Store located at Elysian Fields in New Orleans. At the checkout counter Dorman asserts he noticed one of his items had fallen into a hole in front of the cashier and that he first checked with the cashier if it was okay to reach in the hole and retrieve his item, to which the cashier responded that he could. Without warning, while reaching in the hole, the plaintiff alleges he arm became stuck for approximately 45 minutes and he was not freed until the local fire department arrived.
Dorman contends he suffered debilitating injuries to his ligaments, tendons, muscles, blood vessels, nerves, soft tissue, respiratory system, nervous system and his psyche.
The defendants are accused of failing to properly inspect the checkout counter, exercise reasonable care when handling the checkout counter, thwart any items from falling into the hole, train personnel in the correct protocol of checkout counter safety, warn patrons of hazardous and dangerous conditions and violating any pertinent city ordinances.
The plaintiff is seeking an unspecified amount in damages for pain and suffering, mental agony, emotional turmoil, medical expenses and disabilities.
The plaintiff is represented by attorney Salvador M. Brocato III.
The case has been assigned to Div. A Judge Tiffany G. Chase.
Case no. 2014-08094.
After hand allegedly stuck in a hole for 45 minutes, customer sues Family Dollar Store
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