Beaumont couple sues grocery store over trip in parking lot

A Beaumont woman claims she sustained severe injuries after she tripped over exposed bolts in a grocery store's parking lot.

Court papers state that Irene Platt and her husband Aubrey Platt were walking through a parking lot owned by M&E Food Mart, also known as Market Basket No. 43, when Irene tripped and fell over exposed bolts and screws protruding into the pedestrian and vehicle path.

The screws had been placed in the parking lot in preparation for installation of handicapped parking signs the next day, according to the complaint filed May 13 in Jefferson County Circuit Court.

"Plaintiff, Irene Platt sustained serious and severe injuries as a direct and proximate result of tripping and falling when her foot came into contact with those exposed bolts/screws," the complaint states.

Because of Irene's fall, the Platts say they incurred out-of-pocket expenses, costs for psychological care and counseling and medical bills and lost earnings and earning capacity.

They allege M&E is negligent because it failed to supervise and warn of the contraction of signage in parking and foot traffic area, the suit states.

The Platts are seeking a judgment for unspecified actual damages, plus pre- and post-judgment interest at the maximum rates, costs and other relief to which they may be entitled.

Daniel D. Clayton of Beaumont will be representing them.

The case has been assigned to Judge Milton Shuffield, 136th District Court.

Jefferson County District Court case number: D184-064.