72-year-old grandma claims Family Dollar boxes fell on her

Doris Hickerson is suing Family Dollar Stores, claiming cases of soda tumbled down and struck her while checking out.

Hickerson filed her suit against the company and manager Winnie Douglas on Oct. 20 in Jefferson County District Court.

According to the lawsuit, on June 25, 2010, Hickerson, "a 72 year-old grandmother," was shopping at the Family Dollar, "as was her custom," on Memorial Boulevard in Port Arthur.

As she was standing in line to checkout, Douglas knocked over several cases of soda she was stacking, causing them to crash down on Douglas.

Although the suit does not describe Hickerson's alleged injures, the suit does claim that the defendants failed to maintain the store in a safe manner and warn shoppers of the dangers.

The plaintiff is suing for her alleged past and future medical expenses, mental anguish, pain, impairment, disfigurement and lost wages, plus all court costs.

Houston attorney Mickey Washington of Washington & Ernster represents her.

Judge Milton Shuffield, 136th District Court, is assigned to the case.

Case No. D191-224