Woman wants $1 million in Costco fall

Complaint: Stephens City resident was shopping when she slipped in one of aisles >/h3>

By Sally Voth

A Stephens City woman is suing Costco Wholesale Corp. for $1 million after she says she seriously hurt her back by slipping on a wet floor.

Sharon Croston, of 1470 Macedonia Church Road, filed the complaint against the Issaquah, Wash.-based discount warehouse in U.S. District Court on Tuesday, according to online court records.

Court records indicate the lawsuit started in Frederick County Circuit Court.

Croston was shopping at the Costco, at 251 Front Royal Pike, Winchester on Jan. 2, 2011 when she slipped in one of the aisles, according to the complaint.

"Plaintiff Sharon Croston's fall was the direct and proximate result of the negligence of the defendant which, acting by and through its agents and employees, breached its duty to maintain the premises in a reasonably safe condition for customers of the store," it states.

The store was negligent because it didn't clean up the spill, and didn't put barricades around it or post warning signs, according to the suit.

It describes the area of Croston's fall as "unreasonably dangerous to her."

Because of the fall, Croston herniated a lumbar disc, was hospitalized and operated on, has continued "great pain of body and mind," has a permanent disability and will continue to have medical expenses and lost wages, according to the suit.

Besides the $1 million, Croston is seeking legal costs.

Costco hadn't filed a response as of Wednesday afternoon.

Contact staff writer Sally Voth at 540-465-5137 ext. 164, or svoth@nvdaily.com