Case Name: Suzanne ATKINSON; Robert Atkinson, Plaintiffs-Appellants, v. DOLGENCORP INC., doing business as Dollar General Corp., Defendant-Appellee
Court: United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit
Jurisdiction: United States
Decision Date: 2007-03-15
Citations: 223 F. App'x 328
Docket Number: No. 06-31061
Parties: Suzanne ATKINSON; Robert Atkinson, Plaintiffs-Appellants, v. DOLGENCORP INC., doing business as Dollar General Corp., Defendant-Appellee.
Judges: 
Reporter: West's Federal Appendix
Volume: 223
Pages: 328–329

Head Matter:
Suzanne ATKINSON; Robert Atkinson, Plaintiffs-Appellants, v. DOLGENCORP INC., doing business as Dollar General Corp., Defendant-Appellee.
No. 06-31061.
United States Court of Appeals, Fifth Circuit.
March 15, 2007.
James McDade Johnson, Minden, LA, for Plaintiffs-Appellants.
Brian D. Smith, Shreveport, LA, for Defendant-Appellee.
Before DeMOSS, STEWART, and PRADO, Circuit Judges.

Opinion:
PER CURIAM:
Plaintiffs-Appellants Suzanne and Robert Atkinson ("Appellants") challenge the district court's grant of summary judgment in favor of Defendant-Appellee Dolgencorp Inc. ("Appellee") dismissing Appellants' strict liability claim.
Suzanne Atkinson ("Atkinson") walked in to Appellee's general store intending to buy a chair. She saw and inquired about a plastic chair that she was considering purchasing. Appellants allege that when Atkinson sat in the chair, it collapsed, injuring her.
Appellants filed suit alleging strict liability pursuant to La. Civ.Code. Ann. art. 2317 (1996). Appellee moved for summary judgment, and the district court granted the motion. This timely appeal followed.
Appellants concede that, under La. Civ. Code. Ann. art. 2317.1, Appellee is liable only for damage caused by a defect that it knew or should have known existed. Appellants' only attempt to satisfy their burden is the doctrine of res ipsa loquitur.
The district court, applying Louisiana precedent, found the doctrine inapplicable. After reviewing the issue de novo, we agree with the district court that, for the reasons stated in its written memorandum, res ipsa loquitur does not apply. Louisiana courts have not extended the doctrine to new chairs that break in a retail stores, and sitting as an Erie court, we see no reason to extend Louisiana law.
AFFIRMED.
Pursuant to 5th Cir. R. 47.5, the Court has determined that this opinion should not be published and is not precedent except under the limited circumstances set forth in 5th Cir. R. 47.5.4.