HVAC repairman sues hair salon and landlord after falling through their roof

GRETNA – A Jefferson Parish air conditioning repairman is suing a local hair salon and its landlord after he fell through their roof while checking their air conditioning unit.

Christopher Clouatre, and wife Wendy, filed suit against Gretna Realty Associates LLC, AJC Gretna Corp., LaPalco Hair Salon Inc. and Fantastic Sam’s in the 24th Judicial District Court on April 26.

Clouatre was working as an HVAC repairman for Quality Comfort Systems on May 7, 2012 when he came to the Fantastic Sam’s hair salon property located at 66 Westbank Expressway to inspect an air conditioning unit. The plaintiff alleges that in order to inspect the air conditioning he had to climb on top of the store’s roof and that when he did he fell through a rusted area. Clouatre asserts that he received serious injuries in the incident.

The defendant is accused of failing to maintain its roof, failing to take into account the safety of others, failing to perform proper maintenance, disregarding water pooling on the roof creating a hazardous condition, disregarding long term leaking evidence failure of roofing systems that was not properly maintained, failing to see what should have been seen, creating a hazardous condition, negligent management of property, failing to notify of rust on the roof, failing to act reasonably and prudent and painting over the rusted area to hide the defect.

An unspecified amount in damages is sought for physical pain and suffering, mental anguish, aggravation, annoyance, disability, discomfort, medical expenses, loss of enjoyment of life, bodily disability, loss of use of function of parts of the body, impairment of psychological functioning, disability from engaging in recreation, destruction of earning capacity, loss of support, loss of society and loss of consortium.

Clouatre is represented by Robert B. Evans III of New Orleans-based Burgos & Evans LLC.

The case has been assigned to Division H Judge Glenn B. Ansardi.

Case no. 726-394.