PRINCETON — A Mercer County couple is suing Walmart alleging negligence and injury after a fall.
Geneva Belcher and Bettis Belcher filed the lawsuit after Geneva Belcher sustained an injury at the Princeton Walmart location, according to a complaint filed in Mercer Circuit Court
Geneva Belcher was a patron in the store on May 22, 2020, and was walking down an aisle looking at the products when she slipped on something spilled on the floor and fell, suffering serious personal injuries.
The Belchers claim Geneva Belcher sustained broken bones from the fall.
Walmart was negligent in failing to clean up the liquid on the floor and in its hiring, retention, employment and training of its employees because employees did not clean up the spill, according to the suit.
The Belchers claim Walmart is responsible for the actions and/or inactions of its employees who had carelessly and negligently inspected the floor and failed to clean the liquid in the aisle, which caused her injuries.
"The Defendant...was responsible for inspecting, maintaining and insuring general upkeep of the premises located on Greasy RIdge Road...provided for the use of its patrons," the complaint states. "On May 22, 2020, (the defendant) was aware, or reasonably should have been aware, that the dangerous and defective condition existed."
The Belchers claim Walmart had a duty to warn patrons of dangerous and defective conditions and failed to do so, according to the suit.
Bettis Belcher, Geneva Belcher's husband, alleges that he suffered a loss of consortium, service, society and other related services of his wife because of her injuries, according to the suit. He claims he'll continue to suffer losses in the future because of the injuries as well.
The Belchers are seeking compensatory damages with pre- and post-judgment interest. They are represented by Kenneth E. Chittum in Bluefield.
Mercer Circuit Court case number: 21-C-224
