Perry R. Staub
GRETNA – A New Orleans woman is suing a Harahan hospital for injuries she claims to have received in a fall while in their care for alcohol abuse.
Helen E. Washington filed suit against River Oaks, Inc., River Oaks Hospital and River Oaks Child & Adolescent Hospital in the 24th Judicial District Court on Aug. 13. Washington claims she was voluntarily admitted to River Oaks Hospital for alcohol withdrawal and detoxification on Aug. 8, 2011. The plaintiff alleges that during her stay in the hospital she went to the restroom in the early morning hours and slipped on a foreign substance and fell to the floor.
Washington asserts that she severely injured her head and left arm in the fall and was rushed to the emergency room at East Jefferson Hospital. The plaintiff claims that she experienced nausea as well as severe pain in her left arm, which was later found to be broken.
The defendant is accused of failing to identify and remove the hazardous foreign substance from the floor, permitting a condition to exist that created reasonable harm to patients, failing to properly implement safeguards and failing to properly train and supervise its employees and contracted workers.
An unspecified amount in damages is sought for emotional distress, pain and suffering and court costs.
Washington is represented by Perry R. Staub of New Orleans-based Taggart Morton, LLC.
The case has been assigned to Division I Judge Nancy A. Miller.
Case no. 718-206.