Fabric store customer sues over bench collapse

A Georgia woman says she suffered severe and permanent injuries at a Jomar store in

Philadelphia when a bench collapsed, according to a suit filed in the Philadelphia Court of Common Pleas against the company.

Okita Allen, of Stone Mountain, Ga., seeks up to $50,000 in damages from Jomar, saying negligence on the part of the store employees caused her to fall.

According to the suit, Allen was at the store located at 5300 Whitaker Avenue in Philadelphia on July 14, 2012, when she sat on a bench inside the premises. The bench suddenly collapsed and Allen hit the ground.

The complaint says that Allen sustained serious and cervical, thoracic, and spinal injuries which will deprive her of life’s enjoyment and pleasures. The incident has also forced her to spend money to cover medical expenses while experiencing a loss of earning power.

The plaintiff says the responsibility to properly inspect and repair the bench belongs to Jomar and its employees. The company failed to remove or fix the bench and warn patrons about the hazardous condition and allowed Allen to enter an area of danger.

Allen is represented by Lee Rosenfeld and Matthew Rong of Messa and Associates.

The case ID number is 14061318.