Plaintiff: Michele Johnson
Defendants: Jo-Ann Fabrics & Crafts
Court: U.S. District Court
What’s at issue: Whether the store in Rio Hill Shopping Center is responsible for a holiday display that poked plaintiff’s son in the eye. On May 18, 2006, Johnson and her son Andrew entered the fabric store to see “two large displays containing brightly colored summer crafts and toys,” some of which were hung on wire hangers at the boy’s eye level. According to the complaint, Andrew’s eye was injured when he turned his head into the end of a wire hanger.
What’s at stake: $500,000. The complaint states that plaintiff has already incurred substantial medical and hospital bills in an effort to treat Andrew’s injury. “Andrew…has been prevented and will in the future be hindered from attending to his business and personal affairs for a long period of time,” says the complaint.
What’s the status: On March 14, an initial settlement agreement was reached. The parties have 30 days to seek court approval of the settlement.
