Family Dollar sued after woman falls off a ladder

A woman is suing over claims she fell off a ladder while shopping at Family Dollar.

Melissa Piazzolla filed a lawsuit Dec. 12 in the Cook County Circuit Court against Family Dollar Inc., citing premises liability.

The complaint states Family Dollar Inc. owned and operated a store at 5711 W. 63rd St. in Chicago, where Piazzolla fell off a lader while attempting to retrieve a product on Dec. 14, 2011.

She alleges the defendant was negligent for failing to prevent patrons from using the ladder, failing to secure and store the ladder in a safe location, failing to supervise patrons' use of the ladder, failing to warn of the dangers, failing to train patrons on the proper use the ladder and failing to have a policy on patrons' use of  ladders.

Piazzolla is seeking damages in excess of $50,000. She is being represented in the case by attorney Raymond C. Steadmon of Lane & Lane LLC.

Cook County Circuit Court Case No. 2013L014046.

This is a report on a civil lawsuit filed in the Cook County Circuit Court. The details in this report come from an original complaint filed by a plaintiff. Please note, a complaint represents an accusation by a private individual, not the government. It is not an indication of guilt, and it only represents one side of the story.