Dowlen Road Wal-Mart in Beaumont
A pair of Wal-Mart employees allegedly stood idly by and watched a bargain shopper slip and fall as she walked through a puddle of water while attempting to leave the mega store.
Kelly Doucet claims Wal-Mart's employees "negligently permitted the floor to become wet and slippery," and that they never should have "allowed her to walk through" the puddle. She is suing the company for exemplary damages…and loss of household services.
Attorney Steve Dallas Johnson filed Doucet's personal injury lawsuit on Aug. 6 in the Jefferson County District Court.
According to the plaintiff's original petition, Doucet was shopping at the West End Wal-Mart on Dowlen when she, "in the presence of two employees, was allowed to walk over and through a puddle of water that was standing at the main entrance of the store."
Allegedly, the "hazardous condition" left her "permanently injured," the suit states.
However, the suit does not state when the incident occurred, nor does the suit describe Doucet's injuries in detail.
The suit only says Doucet suffered "personal injuries to her hand, neck, back and body generally," and that she has also had to endure "anxiety, pain and illness."
Doucet and her attorney fault Wal-Mart for failing to inspect the floor area, failing to warn patrons of the dangerous condition, and for failing to mop up the water.
Doucet is suing for past and future medical expenses, physical pain, mental anguish, physical impairment, loss of earning capacity, disfigurement and loss of household services.
The Johnson Law Firm is located in Beaumont. "We are a general practice law firm with substantial experience in personal injury, family law, criminal law and probate. Our attorneys are not board certified in these areas," the firm's Web site said.
Judge Milton Shuffield, 136th Judicial District, has been assigned to the case.
Case No. D179-758