Disabled man sues Rite Aid after fall going into store

CHARLESTON - A Kanawha County man filed a suit against a local drugstore after he was injured while attempting to enter the store.

Bernard W. Florence filed the suit March 5 in Kanawha Circuit Court, against Rite Aid of West Virginia, after he was injured at the West Washington Street location.

According to the suit, Florence was visiting the Rite Aid on West Washington Street on Jan. 2.

The suit says Florence is disabled and parked in a handicap spot, then attempted to walk on the wheelchair access ramp, which was covered in ice.

Florence slipped on the ice ramp and fell, fracturing his hip, the suit says.

Florence claims the store owed a duty of care, to keep the premises, particularly the handicap spaces, clear.

Florence seeks compensatory damages that will cover the injuries and damages he sustained.

Attorney C. Benjamin Salango is representing Florence. The case has been assigned to Judge Paul Zakaib.

Kanawha Circuit Court case number 08-C-440