New Orleans Ritz Carlton sued after ceiling collapse

A New Orleans Ritz-Carlton hotel is being sued after the ceiling in a second floor hotel room collapsed on a worker and narrowly missed another worker.

Kent J. Landry filed suit against The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Co. d/b/a The New Orleans Ritz-Carlton on Aug. 15 in Orleans Parish District Court. The defendant removed the case to federal court in New Orleans on Oct. 21.

The alleged incident occurred on Aug. 18, 2010 as Landry was employed by Viator & Associates Inc. and was sent to the Ritz-Carlton in New Orleans to setup for a wedding. While he was working on the second floor of the hotel, the ceiling collapsed falling onto the second floor narrowly missing Landry but falling onto his co-worker. After escaping injury, he returned to the room to give assistance to his co-worker.

The defendant is accused of negligence for maintaining a defectively constructed building, failing to properly inspect the building, failing to warn Landry that the building was defective and dangerous to his health and welfare and failing to do what should have been done and seen what should have been seen under the circumstances.

The plaintiff is seeking damages for mental anguish, fear of death, aggravation of pre-existing condition, anxiety, medical expenses, lost wages, interest and court costs.

Landry is represented by New Orleans attorney Anthony J. Fontana, Jr. A jury trial is requested.

U.S. District Judge Mary Ann Vial Lemmon is assigned to the case.

Case No. 2:11-cv-02647