Shopper sues Family Dollar for slippery surface incident

A Madison County woman filed suit against a retail company for alleged negligence in 2014.

Mabel Ellison of Alton brought suit April 10 in Madison County Circuit Court against Family Dollar Stores of Illinois Inc., doing business as Family Dollar Store No. 4168 of Alton, claiming negligence in a June 2014 incident.

Ellison was a customer at the store located at 1617 Washington Ave., on or about June 8, 2014. According to the complaint, she slipped and fell on the floor. The complaint states that the plaintiff was not aware that the floor was wet until after she fell.

As a result of the fall, Ellison claims, she sustained serious injury to her right shoulder and lower back, requiring medical treatment.

The plaintiff claims that the store should have known that the floor was wet, and that its employees, who were allegedly obligated to exercise ordinary care to avoid harming customers, failed to warn patrons of the hazard, inspect and clean the area or supervise high-traffic areas.

The plaintiff cites past and future pain and suffering, lost wages and earning capacity, disability and disfigurement. Ellison is seeking damages in excess of $75,000, plus attorneys’ fees and costs. She is represented in the case by Craig Jensen of Meyer Jensen of Alton.

Madison County Circuit Court case no. 15-L-449.