Parking garage leaseholder and Heritage Plaza owners sued after man falls while leaving office

GRETNA – A man who claims he was injured in a slip and fall while walking from his office Heritage Plaza to the connected parking garage is suing.

Paul Unkauf, and wife Kristen Guidry Unkauf, filed suit against Stewart Development LLC, Stirling Properties LLC, Platinum Parking LLC and First Financial Insurance Company in the 24th Judicial District Court on Jan. 8.

Unkauf alleges he was leaving his office located at Heritage Plaza at 111 Veterans Memorial Blvd. on Jan. 9, 2012 when he entered the parking garage from the building and slipped and fell on standing water in the parking garage. The plaintiff asserts that he was injured in the fall.

The defendant is accused of permitting standing water to dampen the pathway leading to the elevator bank, failing to dry the pathway, failing to warn of the hazard, failing to properly inspect the area in question, failing to provide a safe means of exit and entrance, being careless and negligent under the circumstances, failing to properly identify and correct defects in design and failing to properly supervise and train employees.

An unspecified amount in damages is sought for medical expenses, physical pain, loss of function, mental anguish, emotional distress, loss of enjoyment of life and permanent partial disability.

Unkauf is represented by attorney Steven M. Spiegel APLC of Madisonville.

The case has been assigned to Division C Judge June Berry Darensburg.

Case no. 734-424.