J.C. Penney sued by Alton Square Mall shopper

A Madison County woman claims she was hit by a ceiling support column while shopping at the Alton Square Mall.

Brenda Tuggle filed a lawsuit April 26 in Madison County Circuit Court against J.C. Penney Corporation Inc. and Coyote Management L.P.

Tuggle says she was shopping at the J.C. Penney in the Alton Square Mall in April 2009. She alleges she was hit by a falling support pole or column that was being repaired inside the store.

Tuggle accuses J.C. Penney and the owners of the owner of the mall, Coyote Management, of negligence for failing to secure the support column and for not warning customers the columns were not sturdy.

Tuggle is asking for more than $100,000 in damages for medical expenses, loss of income and court fees.

Attorney G. Edward Moorman of Alton is representing Tuggle in this action.

Madison County Circuit Court Case No. 2011-L-395