HUNTINGTON – A woman is suing Hobby Lobby after she claims she was injured when she fell in the store’s parking lot.
Schottenstein Property Group Inc. and Schottenstein Property Group LLC were also named as defendants in the suit.
On Jan. 16, 2014, Saundra Kay Morrison was exiting Hobby Lobby in order to return to her vehicle after making purchases, according to a complaint filed Jan. 8 in Cabell Circuit Court.
Morrison claims the defendants allowed ice to accumulate on the entry/exit of the store, sidewalk and parking lot of the premises, causing the areas to be extremely slippery, dangerous and unsafe.
The defendants failed to remove the ice or place any warning devices on the area so as to put the plaintiff and the rest of the public on notice of the latent slippery, dangerous conditions, according to the suit.
Morrison claims when traversing the area, she suddenly and without warning, slipped and fell on the ice that the defendants allowed to accumulate on the premises.
As a result of the fall, Morrison suffered a closed head injury and injured his back and neck, among other injuries, according to the suit.
Morrison claims the defendants were explicitly and implicitly charged with the duty of reasonable care to any non-trespassing entrant and invitees and the duty to keep the premises free from hazards, including ice and other dangerous slipping hazards.
The defendants caused Morrison to sustain medical expenses; pain and suffering; loss of the ability to enjoy life; lost wages; lost earnings capacity; emotional distress and mental anguish; and annoyance and inconvenience, according to the suit.
Morrison is seeking compensatory and punitive damages with pre- and post-judgment interest. She is being represented by Brian L. Ooten of Shaffer & Shaffer and Kyle R. Salyer of Salyer Law Office.
The case is assigned to Circuit Judge F. Jane Hustead.
Cabell Circuit Court case number: 16-C-13