Dollar General customer sues claiming shopping cart locked up

A woman alleges she had to undergo hip surgery after a shopping cart locked up, causing her to fall, while she was shopping at Dollar General.

Avis Switzer filed a lawsuit Oct. 24 in Madison County Circuit Court against Dollar General Corporation.

In her complaint, Switzer alleges she was shopping at the Dollar General at 311 Riggin Road, in Troy on Aug. 23. She was using a shopping cart when it suddenly locked up, causing her to lose her balance, fall and suffer a right hip fracture, according to the complaint.

Because of her fall, Switzer experienced pain and suffering, lost her normal life, endured disability and incurred medical costs, the suit states.

Switzer blames Dollar General for causing her fall, saying the store provided a shopping aisle that could not accommodate two lanes of traffic and allowed its customers to use a shopping cart that locked up while being used in a normal way.

Switzer seeks a judgment of more than $50,000, plus costs.

Attorney James E. Gorman, of Lucco, Brown, Threlkeld and Dawson in Edwardsville, will represent Switzer.

Madison County Circuit Court case number: 14-L-1455.