Hotel sues Entergy for lost revenue associated with blown underground transformer

NEW ORLEANS – A New Orleans hotel is suing Entergy and its subsidiaries for damages that allegedly occurred when a transformer blew.

International House LLC filed suit against Entergy New Orleans Inc., Entergy Louisiana LLC, Entergy Corporation, Entergy Enterprises Inc., Entergy Gulf States Louisiana LLC and Entergy Services Inc. in the Orleans Parish Civil District Court.

The plaintiff claims that an underground transformer owned by the defendants exploded. The ruptured transformer, located adjacent to the plaintiff at Camp Street allegedly caused fire damage to the hotel, forcing the plaintiff to evacuate its 135 rooms and rescue some guests who were trapped in elevators. The power is said to have remained off for many hours.

The defendants are accused of negligent acts of omission and commission for failing to maintain reasonable care to avoid, detect, modify, correct, mark and warn against unsafe and unreasonable danger perpetuated by a defective device.

International House is seeking an undisclosed amount in damages for lost accommodation space, lost revenue due to cancellations, lost revenue in the bar and restaurant, physical damage to property, costs of relocating guests, costs of rescuing those trapped in elevators damage to its sidewalk, and lost accommodation space at a sister location. They are also asking for all costs and fees associated with the proceedings and any other equitable relief.

The plaintiff is represented by Ravi F. Sangisetty of New Orleans-based Sangisetty & Samuels LLC.

The case has been assigned to Division J Judge Paula A. Brown.

Case no. 2013-08436.