Woman says St. Mary's security guard caused her to fall

HUNTINGTON -- A woman is suing St. Mary's Medical Center after she claims she was intimidated by a security guard and caused to fall.

On Aug. 28, 2008, Judy A. Doss was outside of the defendant's old emergency entrance when she was approached by a security guard, according to a complaint filed Aug. 20 in Cabell Circuit Court.

Doss claims the security guard "embarked on a course of conduct intimidating the plaintiff and forcing her to back up while assisted with her walker and was caused to fall on the sidewalk in front of defendant's entry ... causing seriously injuries to her body ..."

The injuries Doss sustained were to her shoulder, arm, neck, head and back, according to the suit.

Doss claims the defendant negligently failed to warn users and occupants of dangerous conditions on its sidewalk; failed to inspect the sidewalk for dangerous conditions; and failed to make safe the dangerous conditions.

The defendant's security guard negligently approached Doss "in a load and intimidating fashion all while demanding that plaintiff back up, causing the walker utilized by the plaintiff to catch in an uneven sidewalk..." according to the suit.

Doss suffered medical expenses totaling approximately $12,000; physical pain and suffering; mental anguish; annoyance and inconvenience; inability to carry on normal activities; permanent physical and emotional harm; permanent physical impairment; and other damages, according to the suit.

Doss is seeking compensatory damages with pre- and post-judgment interest. She is being represented by Michael Paesani.

The case has been assigned to Circuit Judge David M. Pancake.

Cabell Circuit Court case number: 10-C-627