CHARLESTON – A St. Albans woman who was allegedly injured leaving a gas station is suing Par Mar Oil Company Inc. for her injuries.
Par Mar License Holding Company was also named as a defendant in the suit.
On July 29, Sue Ellen Halstead was exiting Par Mar gas station in St. Albans when she tripped on a floor mat and fractured her ankle, according to a complaint filed May 1 in Kanawha Circuit Court.
Halstead claims she went to the emergency room of Thomas Memorial Hospital for medical treatment, had x-rays, was placed in a splint, was put on crutches and was given a prescription for pain medicine.
Later, Halstead was treated at CAMC Urgent Care Center in Cross Lanes, where it removed the mobile cast and placed her broken ankle in a boot, according to the suit.
Halstead claims she had more x-rays in August, when her leg was put in a cast that she had to wear for four to five weeks, and she was told she might need surgery on her ankle.
Because of the injury, Halstead missed approximately four months of work because her job requires her to be mobile and able to stand on her feet, according to the suit, and because she could not work, she exhausted her vacation time and was then unpaid for her missed work.
Halstead claims the defendants negligently and carelessly failed to maintain a safe area, which caused her injury.
The defendants knew of the danger faced by Halstead and others visiting their establishment and intentionally hid and covered up the danger and intentionally failed to warn Halstead and others of the hidden danger, according to the suit.
Halstead claims the defendants failed to maintain its premises in a reasonably safe condition; failed to exercise due care in maintenance and inspection; failed to adequately train personnel in appropriate methods to inspect and maintain the premises; failed to warn of hazards; and failed to exercise due care generally.
As a direct and proximate result of the defendants’ negligence, Halstead suffered damages and injuries, including medical treatment and related expenses; physical pain and suffering; mental anguish; emotional distress; interruption of earning capacity; a diminution in the ability to enjoy life; and other general damages, according to the suit.
Halstead is seeking compensatory damages with pre- and post-judgment interest. She is being represented by Bronwyn I. Rinehart of James F. Humphreys & Associates.
The case has been assigned to Circuit Judge Carrie Webster.
Kanawha Circuit Court case number: 13-C-844
