Elkview woman blames lot owner for slip, fall on ice

CHARLESTON - An Elkview woman has filed a suit against the owners of a parking lot where she slipped and fell on a pile of ice and snow.

Connie Taylor filed a lawsuit Jan. 18 against Jim Smith and O.V. Smith and Sons. According to the suit, Taylor slipped on ice and fell in the parking lot owned by O.V. Smith and Sons after leaving Elk River Chiropractic on Jan. 24, 2005, after leaving Elk River Chiropractic.

The suit says Taylor sustained injuries of a sacrum/coccygeal fracture, right wrist injury and mild anterior subluxation on her vertebrae. Because of her injuries, she also has sustained medical expenses.

The suit claims that earlier that day, O.V. Smith and Sons piled snow and ice against the sidewalk at Elk River Chiropractic in a mound so high that patrons were forced to step around a large pile of ice to enter their vehicles.

The suit claims the company failed to properly clear the lot of ice and snow and failed to warn patrons of the "large mound of ice blocking the entrance to their vehicles."

Taylor is seeking judgment for the injuries sustained and any relief the court deems proper.

Taylor's attorney is Stephen P. New, and the case has been assigned to Judge Charles King.

Kanawha Circuit Court case number 07-C-117