Country Inn & Suites hit with slip-and-fall lawsuit

CHARLESTON - A man is suing Country Inn & Suites by Carlson for injuries he allegedly sustained at its Elkview hotel.

Plaza Management LLC was also named as a defendant in the suit.

On Dec. 9, after entering the side entrance of the Country Inn & Suites in Elkview, Ernest Smith stepped onto a wet floor and fell, according to a complaint filed March 22 in Kanawha Circuit Court.

Smith claims the wet floor was a hazardous condition that was not readily apparent to him and was present for a sufficient period of time to allow the defendants adequate and reasonable opportunity to remedy the situation.

The defendants owed a duty of reasonable care to provide a reasonably safe premises for customers and failed to do so, according to the suit.

Smith claims the defendants' negligence caused him to suffer a shoulder injury and back injury that required medical treatment.

The defendants' negligence also caused Smith to incur necessary and reasonable medical expenses; endure great pain and suffering; loss of enjoyment of life; and other damages, according to the suit.

Smith is seeking compensatory damages with pre- and post-judgment interest. He is being represented by Scott H. Kaminski of Balgo & Kaminski LC.

The case has been assigned to Circuit Judge Carrie Webster.

Kanawha Circuit Court case number: 13-C-551