Nurse claims injuries while fleeing raccoon attack at psychiatric hospital dumpster

NEW ORLEANS – A former certified nursing assistant at a local inpatient psychiatric hospital claims she was attacked by raccoons in a dumpster.

Annette Patterson filed a lawsuit against Prestige Care, LLC D/B/A Ferncrest Manor Living Center and their insurer in the Orleans Parish Central District Court on Dec.  7.

Patterson claims that while trying to flee from the raccoon attack she tripped and fell on uneven pavement extending from the defendant's dumpster area. Patterson asserts that the defendants are liable to her for damages due to both the dumpster and pavement area being under their care and ownership.

The defendant is accused of failing to remedy the known infestation of wild raccoons in its dumpsters, permitting the pavement to become and remain unsafe and failing to repair the dangerous conditions.

An unspecified amount is sought for the plaintiff’s injuries to her back, thigh, knee, hand, muscles, bones and ligaments, medical expenses and decreased earning capacity.

The plaintiff is represented by Matthew Caplan of New Orleans-based Lewis & Caplan, APLC.

This case has been assigned to Division A Judge Tiffany G. Chase.

Case no. 2012-11424.