JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (Legal Newsline) - A Florida woman says she was attacked by a snake while shopping at Wal-Mart, causing unspecified injuries over which she is suing.
Marion Jarrell and husband Charles filed their lawsuit against Wal-Mart April 30 in Duval County Circuit Court, according to a report by Courthouse News Service. Jarrell says she was grabbing a plant at the time of the attack.
"While reaching out to select a plant... Jarrell felt a sharp sting in her forearm," the complaint says. "When she pulled her arm back from the plants, a large, black snake was attached to her arm.
"The snake had bitten deeply into her arm and attached itself to her with its fangs. The snake was long enough that it hung down below her knee."
As she tried to pry the snake off her arm, it wrapped its body around her legs, she alleges. The body remained on her leg after it stopped biting, she alleges.
As she shook her leg, she injured her knee on the display table holding the plants, the suit claims.
The alleged incident took place on May 1, 2006. The suit was just before the four-year statute of limitations for personal injury lawsuits in Florida would have expired.
The suit says Jarrell has suffered severe and permanent injuries and a significant loss of an important bodily function, but does not specify what those injuries are.
From Legal Newsline: Reach John O'Brien by e-mail at jobrienwv@gmail.com.