N.C. woman sues Petsmart for injuries

CHARLESTON -- A North Carolina woman is suing Petsmart Inc. after she claims she was injured in its Charleston location.

On April 30, 2008, Cynthia Demetrelis was walking through the checkout aisle and toward the store's exit when she stumbled over an empty display rack and fell, according to a complaint filed April 23 in Kanawha Circuit Court.

Demetrelis claims the display rack had been placed between her and the exit and was not locked in place.

The defendant was responsible for inspecting, maintaining and ensuring a safe place for its customers to shop, according to the suit, and was aware or should have been aware that a dangerous and defective condition existed.

Demetrelis claims she suffered injuries and incurred medical expenses because of the fall.

Demetrelis is seeking compensatory damages. She is being represented by Kenneth P. Hicks and Roger L. Lambert.

The case has been assigned to Circuit Judge Carrie Webster.

Kanawha Circuit Court case number: 10-C-757