A woman claims she fell down a J.C. Penney escalator backwards when it jerked.
Dorothy Johnson filed a lawsuit Dec. 30 in Madison County Circuit Court against Schindler Elevator Corporation, J.C. Penney and Coyote Management.
Johnson claims she rode on an escalator at J.C. Penney on Jan. 13, 2010, when the machine suddenly halted, causing her to take a backwards tumble.
Because of the incident, Johnson sustained injuries to her left shoulder, upper back, left side and buttocks and suffered great physical pain and mental anguish, according to the complaint. In addition, she incurred medical costs, has been unable to perform her usual activities, endured disability and loss of a normal life and suffered disfigurement, the suit states.
In her complaint, Johnson blames the defendants for negligently failing to properly maintain the escalator, for failing to timely repair the escalator, for failing to warn customers of problems with the escalator and for failing to shut the escalator down for maintenance.
In her three-count complaint, Johnson seeks a judgment of more than $150,000, plus costs.
Michael P. Glisson of Williamson, Webster, Falb and Glisson in Alton will be representing her.
Madison County Circuit Court case number: 10-L-1289.
JC Penney, Schindler sued over woman's escalator fall
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