Handicapped woman sues JP Morgan Chase after burning hand on freshly welded rail

A handicapped Louisiana woman has filed a lawsuit against a bank after she burned her hand on a newly welded handrail, while she was attempting to enter the bank.

Alleging violations of the Americans with Disabilities Act, Sandra Denapolis filed suit against JP Morgan Chase Bank and Trison Contractors on Oct. 19 in federal court in New Orleans.

According to the lawsuit, the Chase Bank in Kenner was performing repairs or renovations at the property at the time of the incident on Oct. 21, 2009. Denapolis states she needed to use the wheelchair ramp to gain access to the bank and yelled at construction workers to move because she was coming up the ramp.

The workers moved out of her way but they failed to tell Denapolis that the metal handrail had just been welded, the suit claims. Denapolis grabbed the handrail to help pull herself up the ramp and she severely burned her hand.

The defendants are accused of failing to train their employees, willfully violating all applicable state and federal laws regarding reasonable public accommodation as well as safe entrance and exit to a public facility.

Denapolis is seeking damages for personal injury, emotional distress, mental anguish, lost wages, lost benefits, costs and attorney's fees and punitive damages.

She is represented by Kenner attorney Marion D. Floyd. A jury trial is requested.

U.S. District Judge Jay C. Zainey is assigned to the case.

Case No. 2:10-cv03877