Shopper at electronics store sues Best Buy for injuries

A Jefferson County woman was shopping for electronics when she claims she was injured at a Best Buy store in Beaumont.

Taehela Parish was in the electronics store on Dec. 6, 2005, when she cut her leg, possibly on a steel rack. She has now filed a personal injury suit against Best Buy in Jefferson County District Court on May 29.

Parish's suit says she "caught her right leg in the steel causing her right leg to get cut open and causing plaintiff to have difficulties with her right knee, thigh and hip."

As a result of the defendants negligence, Parish sustained serious injuries and damages, "injuries proximately caused by the Defendant," the suit said.

"Defendant created a premise defect on its premises, or in the alternative, was aware of a defect in the premises. The premise defect caused the premises to be unreasonably dangerous. Defendant knew or should have known that it created the defect, or in the alternative, knew or should have known of the existence of the premise defect before the plaintiff's injury, but failed to take steps to reduce or eliminate the danger posed by the premise defect."

The suit faults Best Buy with the following acts of negligence: failing to maintain its premises in a reasonably safe condition; failing to inspect its premises for hazardous conditions; failing to warn its customers, such as Parish, of the hazardous conditions in the area in which she was walking; and failing to eliminate or remove the unsafe and unreasonably dangerous conditions which caused a hazard to its customers.

"Plaintiff would further show unto the court and jury that the defendant knew or should have known of the hazardous and dangerous condition on its premises...and failed to eliminate it or warn against it," the suit said.

Parish is suing for pas and present medical expenses, mental anguish, physical pain and impairment and suffering, disability, and loss of
enjoyment of life in the past and in the future.

She is demanding a trial by jury, and she is represented by attorney Clay Dugas of Clay Dugas & Associates.
Court assignment is pending

Case No. E179-392