Woman sues employer over slip on fryer oil

CHARLESTON – A Gauley Bridge woman is suing a Montgomery grocery store after she slipped on oil from a deep fryer in the store's deli.

Ramona Jewell filed a lawsuit March 30 in Kanawha Circuit Court against Montecal Corp., doing business as Tom's Food Fair.

Jewell claims she worked in the store's deli at the time she fell. The store cooks and sells fried chicken, which is prepared in a deep fryer located in the deli, the complaint says.

Jewell claims that, despite complaints from workers, management at the store failed to maintain the deep fryer, which caused oil to regularly leak onto the floor.

On Aug. 28, 2007, Jewell says she slipped on the greasy floor and permanently damaged her left knee.

She's seeking compensatory damages and legal costs.

J. Kristofer Cormany is representing the plaintiff. The case is before Kanawha Circuit Judge Tod Kaufman.

Kanawha Circuit Court case number: 09-C-563