NEW ORLEANS – A Jefferson Parish woman is suing a local hotel and an elevator company after allegedly being stuck in an elevator that malfunctioned and plummeted several floors.
Cassandra Sloan Blackden filed a lawsuit against Hyatt Corporation, Hyatt Place New Orleans Convention Center, Kevin Dyson, Schindler Elevator Corporation, Richard Ludwig, an unknown employee and their insurers in the Orleans Parish Central District Court on Feb. 8.
The plaintiff claims that while a hotel guest at the defendant’s establishment she entered the elevator on the 8th floor and after the door closed the elevator began jerking, the lights went off and the elevator fell rapidly for several floors before stopping abruptly causing her to sustain injuries to her neck, back, cervical spine and discs, lumbar spine and disc, left hip and lower extremities. Blackden claims the defendants did not respond to the emergency elevator bell so she called 911 and the New Orleans Fire Department came to her rescue.
The defendant is accused of failing to service, inspect and maintain the elevator, failing to repair the elevator, failing to warn patrons of the existing hazardous condition, failing to timely respond to plaintiff at time of incident and all other acts of negligence.
An unspecified amount is sought for all damages.
William P. Connick of Metairie-based Connick and Connick LLC is counsel for the plaintiff.
This case has been assigned to Division M Judge Paulette R. Irons.
Case no. 2013-01291.
Woman stuck in elevator at Hyatt Place New Orleans sues
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