Wal-Mart 'waterfall' leads to injury suit

On a summer day two years ago, Joanne Monroe was shopping at the Wal-Mart in Orange when she claims she was knocked to the ground by bottles of water that fell from a cart.

Monroe filed a personal injury lawsuit against the mega-retailer on July 6 in Orange County District Court.

According to the plaintiff's original petition, Monroe was in the Wal-Mart on Edgar Brown Drive when an employee passed by pulling a cart loaded with bottles of water.

"The bottles fell and struck the plaintiff, knocking her to the floor," the petition states.

The petition does not describe the injuries, but says that Monroe "was caused to suffer personal injury and endure anxiety, pain and illness."

The plaintiff alleges that Wal-Mart or its employee negligently handled the cart, failed to inspect the manner in which merchandise was secured, failed to properly secure the merchandise, failed to properly clear the area and failed to warn shoppers of the danger.

"Defendant failed to conduct business activities in a safe and reasonable manner, a manner which created or perpetuated a danger to Monroe and others," the suit states.

Monroe is seeking past and future medical expenses, damages for pain and suffering, mental anguish and physical impairment.

Steve Parkhurst of Orange is representing the plaintiff.

The case has been assigned to Judge Dennis Powell of the 163rd Orange County District Court.

Case No. B070-323-c