Woman sues Marriott over fall at high school reunion

CHARLESTON - A woman is suing Charleston Marriott LLC for injuries she claims she sustained while on a SnapLock dance floor at the hotel.

SnapLock Industries was also named as a defendant in the suit.

On Sept. 17, 2011, Bettie Woody was a business invitee of the Charleston Marriott and was attending her high school reunion wherein a dance floor

was provided by SnapLock Industries, according to a complaint filed Sept. 13 in Kanawha Circuit Court.

Woody claims while on the dance floor, her heel went into an opening of a joint in the dance floor that was not properly installed and she fell backward, hitting her head and injuring her wrist and elbow while attempting to break her fall.

Because of the injuries, Woody required medical treatment, according to the suit.

Woody claims the defendants negligently and carelessly failed to maintain and install safe floors, which caused severe and debilitating injury to her.

The defendants failed to maintain the premises in a reasonably safe condition; failed to exercise due care in maintenance and inspection; failed to adequately train its personnel in the appropriate methods to inspect and maintain the premises; failed to warn of hazards the defendants knew or should have known existed; and failed to exercise due care, according to the suit.

Woody claims she suffered injuries, some of which could be permanent in nature, because of the defendants' negligence.

As a direct and proximate result of the defendants' negligence and carelessness, Woody continues to suffer bodily injuries requiring medical treatment and related expenses; physical pain and suffering; mental anguish; emotional distress; a diminution in the ability to enjoy life; and other general damages, according to the suit.

Woody is seeking compensatory damages with pre- and post-judgment interest. She is being represented by Kathy A. Brown of Kathy Brown Law PLLC.

The case has been assigned to Circuit Judge Carrie Webster.

Kanawha Circuit Court case number: 13-C-1744