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LOUISIANA RECORD

Friday, March 29, 2024

Entergy sued by hotel occupants after substation fire

Edwin shorty big

NEW ORLEANS - Four Jefferson Parish residents are suing a regional electric provider after they allegedly were injured when a substation burst into flames near the hotel where they were staying.

Jennifer Edwards, Eunice Gutierrez, Keva Gourgis and Sibyl LaGarde filed suit against Entergy Operations, Inc., Entergy New Orleans Inc. and Entergy Louisiana Inc. on May 15.

On the evening of May 12, 2012 the plaintiffs claim they were studying together at 3501 Holiday Drive in New Orleans. At about 8:30 p.m. the plaintiffs allege that the lights flickered and went out and a few seconds later they heard a loud blast from a nearby Entergy substation and saw it burst into flames. Edwards, Gutierrez, Gourgis and LaGarde assert that they fled the building, which was filling up with smoke from the substation that was only a few hundred feet away and that while running away from the fire LaGarde injured her knee.

The suit accuses Entergy Operations of failing to warn of unsafe conditions, properly train employees and provide an environment safe from hazardous material.

Damages in unspecified sum are sought for pain and suffering, medical expenses, lost wages, legal interest and for costs of all proceedings.

The plaintiff is represented by Edwin M. Shorty Jr. of the New Orleans-based Edwin M. Shorty Jr. & Associates A Professional Law Corporation.

The case has been assigned to Division H Judge Michael J. Bagneris.

Case No. 2013-4497.

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