Pinch woman blames Big Sandy Furniture for injuries

CHARLESTON – A Pinch woman is suing Big Sandy Furniture, Inc., after she tripped and fell in one of its stores and was injured.

John Eye Big Sandy Super Store, Inc., and John Eye Big Sandy Service, Inc., were also named as defendants in the suit.

On May 14, 2011, Laura Burdette Helmick was shopping in the defendants’ showroom in Nitro/Cross Lanes, when she tripped over bed rails that were not visible and was injured, according to a complaint filed March 1 in Kanawha Circuit Court.

Helmick claims the defendants “negligently, carelessly, wrongfully and unlawfully assembled, placed and/or maintained the bed rails in a location incorrectly allowing a hazard to the public where the bed rails presence was not open, obvious or readily visible…”

The defendants failed to inspect the premises and merchandise for the unsafe and dangerous condition; failed to warn business invitees; and failed to keep and maintain its premises and merchandise in a safe condition, according to the suit.

Helmick claims as a result of the defendants’ negligence, she was injured and injured medical expenses in the amount of $28,986.55.

On June 15, 2011, the defendants entered into a contract with Helmick to reimburse her for her medical expenses, but breached its contract by failing to reimburse her, according to the suit.

Helmick is seeking compensatory damages with pre- and post-judgment interest. She is being represented by Marvin W. Masters and Charles M. Love IV of the Masters Law Firm.

The case has been assigned to Circuit Judge Louis H. Bloom.

Kanawha Circuit Court case number: 13-C-425