Mother sues Dollar Tree, others over play shoes

By JOHN HOPKINS, The Virginian-Pilot
© March 10, 2007

CHESAPEAKE - A Moyock, N.C., mother has filed a product liability lawsuit against Chesapeake-based Dollar Tree Stores and several other companies over a pair of play shoes that light up.

Jessica Edwards said her 2-year-old was at home in October 2002 when the heel separated from the shoe and 1.5-volt button cell batteries fell out of the Girl'z Wear Light-Up Play Shoes. A battery was found embedded in the child's nostril, causing serious and permanent injuries, according to the suit.

The civil action was filed in Chesapeake Circuit Court against Dollar Tree Stores, Toyworlds Toys Co. L td., Jaring Inc., Global Innovations LLC and others. The lawsuit seeks $10 million in compensatory damages.

The shoes were sold to the child's grandmother by Dollar Tree in Chesapeake, the lawsuit said. The defendants were negligent in the shoes' warning and instructions, according to the suit.

The defendants should have known the shoes were "unreasonably dangerous and defective," according to the lawsuit.

The defendants have been served with the lawsuit, but have not formally responded. Timothy Reid, a Dollar Tree Stores spokesman, said the company's policy is not to comment on pending litigation.

Yeah. Ten...million...dollars.