O'Fallon woman sues Destin, Fla. gift shop in St. Clair County

An O'Fallon woman has filed suit against a Florida store, alleging she was injured after tripping over boxes at the store.

Patricia E. Pierce claims she was vacationing in Florida and entered defendant Brighton Collectibles' Destin, Fla., store on Oct. 17, 2007, when the incident occurred.

Boxes were stacked on the floor of the store, causing Pierce to trip over one. Because of her fall, Pierce sustained severe injuries to her right arm and shoulder, right leg, nose, head and brain, according to the complaint. In addition, she suffered grievous pain and mental anguish, has become sick, sore, lame, disordered and disabled and incurred medical costs, the suit filed Oct. 15 in St. Clair County Circuit Court states.

Brighton Collectibles negligently placed boxes on the floor in a high-frequency area, failed to remove the boxes, failed to warn Pierce of the boxes' existence, failed to properly inspect the premises and failed to take other reasonable precautions, the complaint says.

Pierce is seeking a judgment of more than $50,000, plus costs.

She will be represented by Mark S. Schuver of Mathis, Marifian, Richter and Grandy.