Contractor employee sues business for a broken leg he alleges to have received in fall from a ladder

GRETNA – An employee of a garage door installation company who was working on a garage door for a local retailer is suing.

Eric S. Mitchell filed suit against Jefferson Variety Stores Inc. and Mardi Gras City Inc. in the 24th Judicial District Court on Oct. 18.

Mitchell asserts that he was working for Joey’s Garage Door & Renovation at the Mardi Gras City located at 246 Iris Ave. in Jefferson where he was removing a damaged overhead roll up door. The plaintiff claims that while standing atop a ladder and after unbolting the door he was asked by a employee of the defendant to toss the door onto the forks of a forklift. Mitchell alleges that when he and a co-worker tossed the door he lost his balance and fell from the ladder and landed on the floor below.

The defendant is accused of failing to train its employees properly, failing to allow the door to be removed in the safest possible manner, failing to implement safe work practices and failing to provide the proper employee equipment.

An unspecified amount in damages is sought for physical pain and suffering, mental anguish and anxiety, loss of enjoyment of life, loss of income and wages, diminished earning capacity and medical expenses.

Mitchell is represented by attorney Joseph H. Jolissaint of Baton Rouge.

The case has been assigned to Division D Judge Scott U. Schlegel.

Case no. 732-120.