Carlton J. Ford claims he was "thrown to the ground and falsely imprisoned" while leaving Bruce's Market Basket by a grocery store employee.
Seeking financial compensation for his alleged mental and physical injuries, Ford filed suit against Bruce's Market Basket LTD. in the Jefferson County District Court on March 19.
According to the plaintiff's petition, on March 21, 2007, Jones was shopping at Market Basket No. 17 in Port Neches.
"As plaintiff attempted to leave the store, he was thrown to the ground and falsely imprisoned by defendant, which caused bodily injury to plaintiff," the suit said. "Defendant's assault … was negligent and was a proximate … cause of his injuries."
The suit does not state why Ford was detained.
The suit does say, however, that Market Basket is liable to Ford for damages under the legal doctrine res ipsa loquitur. The doctrine refers to a rule of evidence whereby negligence may be inferred from the mere fact that the accident happened.
Ford is suing for past and future medical expenses, pain, mental anguish and impairment.
"Such damages are permanent," the suit said.
Ford is demanding a trial by jury and is represented by Trenton Bond, attorney for the Reaud, Morgan & Quinn law firm.
Judge Milton Shuffield, 136th Judicial District, has been assigned to the case.
Case No. D181-462