CHARLESTON — A mother and her minor child are suing a reptile expo, alleging the daughter was caused to contract salmonella from a pet turtle.
B.W., a minor, through her next friend and parent April Westfall, filed a complaint in Kanawha Circuit Court against Grove City Reptiles, Douglas Devaul and the City of Dunbar.
The suit states the plaintiff and her mother attended an Exotic Animal and Reptile Expo on Aug. 20, 2017 at Dunbar Center. The suit states the minor plaintiff won a pet turtle, but was not given any directions as to how to care for or handle the pet. The plaintiff became ill on Aug. 26, 2017, after handling the turtle and was diagnosed with salmonella that was caused by the turtle. The plaintiff's treatments, hospitalizations and medications total $11,931.20.
The defendant is accused of negligence, premises liability, and breach of implied warranty.
The plaintiff is seeking all reasonable sums due, attorney fees and court costs. The plaintiff is represented by Elizabeth Kavitz of Kavitz Law in Charleston.
The case has been assigned to Judge Jennifer Bailey.
Kanawha Circuit Court case number 19-C-252