Strip mall sued after woman trips over planter

CHARLESTON - A Kanawha County woman filed a suit against the owner of a Dunbar strip mall, claiming she was injured when she fell on a concrete planter on a sidewalk.

Rebecca Lanham filed a suit July 6 in Kanawha Circuit Court against Michael Fletcher and Fletcher Square, a strip mall located in Dunbar. There are several businesses in Fletcher Square, including a Jo-Ann Fabrics.

Lanham was going to Jo-Ann Fabrics on July 9, 2005, when she claims several automobiles were parked in front of the store, obstructing her view of a concrete planter that was placed on the sidewalk.

The concrete planter has a large, square base that protrudes beyond the perimeter of the planter, and is the same color as the concrete sidewalk on which it sits.

When Lanham went to walk between two vehicles to walk onto the sidewalk, her foot caught the base of the planter, causing her to fall. As a result, she broke her right wrist and had to have several surgeries, including having bones in her wrist fused and metal plates and rods inserted.

She claims she has had to quit her job and has suffered a loss of income and benefits.

Lanham seeks compensatory judgment in a fair and full amount. Attorney Edward ReBrook III represents Lanham. The case has been assigned to Judge Jennifer Bailey Walker.

Kanawha Circuit Court case number 07-C-1382