Woman sues Wal-Mart after tripping over drainage mat in produce department

SHERMAN - A Denton County woman has filed a lawsuit against Wal-Mart claiming the store is responsible for the injuries she received when she tripped over a drainage mat while shopping in the store’s produce department.

Adelaida Ruelas filed suit against Wal-Mart Stores Texas and Wal-Mart Stores Inc. on Oct. 19 in Denton County District Court. The defendant removed the case to the Eastern District of Texas, Sherman Division on Nov. 20.

The incident occurred on April 16 as Ruelas was shopping at the Wal-Mart store located in The Colony. She was shopping in the store’s produce department when she tripped on improperly placed rubber drainage mats, according to the lawsuit.

The defendant is accused of negligence for failing to maintain the premises in a reasonably safe condition, failing to warn Ruelas of the dangerous condition, failing to inspect the premises in order to discover the dangerous condition and failing to use ordinary care to reduce or eliminate an unreasonable risk of harm created by a premises condition.

The plaintiff is asking for an award of damages for medical expenses, pain, suffering, mental anguish, permanent impairment, disfigurement, interest and court costs.

Ruelas is represented by Kimberley A. Stovall, Molly F. Scott, Augusto Guerra, and Julie E. Stewart of Stovall & Associates P.C. in Dallas. A jury trial is requested.

U.S. District Judge Ron Clark is assigned to the case.

Case No. 4:12-cv-00729