Woman sues funeral home over alleged fall

CHARLESTON - A woman is suing LOI Charleston Inc. after she allegedly fell at a funeral home and was injured.

LOI Charleston is doing business as Tyler Mountain Funeral Home and/or operating as Tyler Mountain Funeral Home.

On June 1, 2011, Neva Terry went to the defendant's funeral home for the purpose of attending a wake/funeral, according to a complaint filed May 24 in Kanawha Circuit Court.

Terry claims she was exiting the facility when she stumbled on a ramp that was not properly marked or equipped with a hand rail and, as a result, she fell over a concrete bench.

The defendant was negligent by failing to properly mark and identify the ramp; by failing to have a handrail to assist a person descending the ramp; and in failing to notify by signage or otherwise that the door Terry passed through was, in fact, not an exit, according to the suit.

Terry claims she suffered severe and permanent injuries to her body, including her left elbow and other portions of her body; required medical treatment; and experienced pay and discomfort.

As a result of the defendant's negligence, Terry incurred expenses in the amount of $64,356 and lost wages in excess of $1,713, according to the suit.

Terry is seeking compensatory damages with pre- and post-judgment interest. She is being represented by Frank M. Armada.

The case has been assigned to Circuit Judge Tod J. Kaufman.

Kanawha Circuit Court case number: 13-C-1018