BATON ROUGE – Two Baton Rouge women are suing a construction company, a government entity and a parish government after they were allegedly seriously injured from an uncovered excavation pothole.
Lenora Robison and Cyra Charles Fleming filed suit against the Department of Transportation and Development, Reynolds Construction and East Baton Rouge Parish in the 19th Judicial Court on Nov. 14.
The plaintiffs assert they were driving on Interstate 110 and attempting to exit on Government Street when they allegedly ran into an excavation hole, approximately six feet by four feet wide and about three feet deep, causing the blowout of both front tires and the rear right tire. The plaintiffs claim it was raining and wet on Dec. 26, 2011, and the driver was unable to see before she entered the pothole.
Robinson and Fleming assert there were no barricades or warnings surrounding the excavation hole.
The defendants are accused of failing to display barricades to warn the public of impending danger, failing to cover the pothole pending repair so as to prevent damage, failing to deploy warning signs and negligence.
An unspecified amount in damages is sought for emergency surgery for right rotator cuff tear, physical pain and suffering, mental depression and anxiety, loss of enjoyment of life, lost wages, medical expenses and loss of consortium.
The plaintiffs are represented by Peggy M. H. Robinson.
The case has been assigned to Division D Judge Janice Clark.
Case no. 616983.