BELFAST – A sufferer of breast cancer has filed a lawsuit against Wal-Mart Stores after being subjected to a search when surgical bandages attached to her body were apparently mistaken for shoplifted items by a store security guard.

Norma Fuller of Northport filed the lawsuit against Wal-Mart and its Rockland store in Waldo County Superior Court on Friday. She accused the corporation of wrongful detainment and with negligent and intentional infliction of emotional distress. The lawsuit seeks punitive and compensatory damages as well as attorney fees.

According to the lawsuit, Fuller had undergone breast surgery in the fall of 2000 and was in an emotional and depressed state of mind all that season. On Dec. 6 she was shopping at the Rockland Wal-Mart when she was approached by a male security guard who “accused her of shoplifting.”

The suit alleges that the male security guard escorted Fuller to a room and asked her to take her jacket off. In the aftermath of her breast surgery, Fuller was wearing three drainage bags under her garments as part of her recovery. The bags were attached to her pants. Fuller charged that the guard forced her to lift her shirt “to prove that the bags were connected to her.”

The suit, filed by Belfast lawyer Thomas F. Shehan Jr., charged that she was overwhelmed by the demand and “embarrassed and humiliated” by the behavior of the security guard.

The lawsuit specifically noted that Fuller did not shoplift any store items.

When contacted Friday at Wal-Mart’s corporate headquarters, a spokesman said he was unaware of the lawsuit or the incident and was unable to comment.