Hanley woman sues McDonald's for work injuries

CHARLESTON -- A Hanley woman is suing McDonald's after she claims she was injured while working.

Tammy Lewis is employed at McDonald's and on Jan. 6, 2009, while working her shift, she opened a stainless steel refrigerator to obtain some chicken nuggets, according to a complaint filed Dec. 16 in Kanawha Circuit Court.

Lewis claims while she was removing the chicken nuggets, the 50-pound refrigerator door came off its hinges and struck her in the right shoulder and head.

Although there were previous complaints about the existence of the unsafe working condition, the defendant failed to have the refrigerator door properly repaired, according to the suit.

Lewis claims McDonald's had knowledge of the unsafe working condition and knew of the high degree of risk and strong probability of serious injury or death that was presented by the unsafe working condition and failed to do anything about it.

McDonald's violated state and federal safety rules by allowing the unsafe working condition to continue, according to the suit.

Lewis is seeking compensatory damages with pre- and post-judgment interest. She is being represented by Lia DiTrapano Fairless and Richard E. Hardison Jr.

The case has been assigned to Circuit Judge James C. Stucky.

Kanawha Circuit Court case number: 10-C-2250