Woman sues nursing home over fall near vending machine

A woman who claims she slipped while attempting to retrieve food for her mother-in-law has filed suit against the Beaumont nursing home where the incident allegedly occurred.

Marilyn Cole claims she was visiting her mother-in-law at defendant Beaumont Health Care Center on Oct. 26, 2008, when she went to retrieve a snack from vending machines in the hallway.

"As she was walking, she slipped in a clear liquid on the floor and fell, seriously hurting herself," the suit filed June 1 in Jefferson County District Court states. "After she fell, she looked at the liquid she fell on and noticed it had some dirt and debris in it."

Because of her fall, Cole incurred medical costs; experienced physical pain, suffering, physical impairment, disfigurement and mental anguish; and lost earnings, according to the complaint.

Beaumont Health Care Center negligently failed to inspect and maintain its floors in a safe condition and failed to post warnings of the dangerous condition that existed, the suit states.

In her complaint, Cole is seeking a judgment within the jurisdictional limits of Jefferson County District Court, plus pre-judgment interest at the maximum rate allowed by law, post-judgment interest at the legal rate, costs and other relief the court deems just.

David A. Bryant Jr. of The Bryant Law Firm in Spring will be representing her.

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

Jefferson County District Court case number: D186-980.