Sweepers blamed for woman's fall at restaurant

A woman and her husband have filed suit against a Beaumont restaurant, alleging the woman tripped on sweepers in the eatery's entrance way.

Rose Marie Charpentier claims she ate at defendant Carraba's with her husband, Hillary Charpentier, on Feb. 6, 2009.

As the couple attempted to leave the restaurant, Rose Marie Charpentier tripped and fell over a sweeper, according to the complaint filed June 2 in Jefferson County District Court.

"A half wall separated the exit route from the dining area," the suit states. "The half wall hid whatever was on the exit route side and the wall, which when Plaintiff left included floor sweepers lining the opposite side of the wall. The sweepers were not in that position when Plaintiffs entered the premises."

Because of her fall, Rose Marie Charpentier suffered physical pain, mental anguish and physical impairment; incurred medical costs; and endured a reduction in her earning capacity, the complaint says. In addition, Hillary Charpentier claims he experienced a loss of his wife's care, comfort, solace, companionship, protection, services and physical relations and suffered mental anguish.

Carraba's negligently failed to maintain a safe premises, maintained a dangerous condition on the premises, failed to take adequate precautions to ensure a safe premises, failed to adequately supervise the premises, allowed an obstruction to be left on the premises and failed to warn Rose Marie Charpentier of a sweeper on the ground, according to the complaint.

The Charpentiers are seeking a judgment in excess of the minimum jurisdictional limits of Jefferson County District Court, plus costs, pre- and post-judgment interest and other relief to which they may be entitled.

E. Hart Green of Weller, Green, McGown and Toups in Beaumont will be representing them.

The case has been assigned to Judge Donald Floyd, 172nd District Court.

Jefferson County District Court case number: E187-006.