Braum's, manager sued after parking lot fall

A Joplin woman is suing the Braum's store at 2410 S. Range Line Road, Joplin, after being injured in a fall in the parking lot.

In the lawsuit, which was filed today in Jasper County Circuit Court, Irene Franks claims a raised area of concrete in the parking lot caused her fall on January 10 and caused her to sustain injuries to her face, head, back, and left knee.

In addition to Braum's, store manager Amy Smith is listed as a defendant.

From the petition:

On January 10, 2026, Plaintiff, her daughter, and her great-granddaughter went to Braum’s Store #20 as customers and business invitees.

Upon their arrival to the store, they parked in the handicapped parking spot immediately to the east of the entrance to the store.

In between the handicapped parking spot where Plaintiff parked and the entrance to the store was an area of raised concrete.

At one end of the area, the concrete rose above the parking lot by several inches. The change in elevation between the plateau and ground narrowed until it became flush with the sidewalk close to the store.

As Plaintiff was leaving the store, she was following behind her daughter and her great-granddaughter.

Plaintiff did not see the uneven change in elevation at the edge of the area of raised concrete.

Plaintiff encountered the uneven change in elevation and fell resulting in injuries to

Plaintiff.

The four-count lawsuit alleges negligence by Braum's and Smith.

Franks, who is represented by Taylor Haas of Johnson, Vorhees and Martucci, Joplin, is asking for "fair and reasonable damages" and costs.