Man sues grocery store over slip on oil

A man claims he injured his shoulder after falling on spilled cooking oil at a grocery store.

Carroll Johnson filed a lawsuit Aug. 5 in Jefferson County District Court against El Rancho.

Johnson claims he was shopping for groceries at the store located on 1049 Stadium Road in Port Arthur on Aug. 4, 2007.

While shopping, Johnson fell on a gallon bottle of Crisco Oil that had been spilled on the floor, according to the complaint.

Because of his fall, Johnson incurred medical costs, experienced physical pain, suffering, mental anguish, physical impairment, loss of consortium, loss of household services, disfigurement and fear of a future disease and will incur the costs of medical monitoring in the future, the suit states.

He blames El Rancho for failing to properly maintain the floor in a safe condition, for failing to give adequate warnings about the slippery substance on the floor and for failing to remove the cooking oil from the floor in a timely fashion.

Johnson is seeking damages within the jurisdictional limits of Jefferson County District Court, plus exemplary damages, pre- judgment interest at the maximum rate allowed by law, post-judgment interest at the legal rate, costs and other relief to which he may be entitled.

Carolyn Wiedenfeld of Beaumont will be representing him.

The case has been assigned to Judge Bob Wortham, 58th District Court.

Jefferson County District Court case number: A184-613.