Elevator door slams shut on woman, results in lawsuit

NEW ORLEANS – A woman is suing after a elevator in a Poydras Street building slammed shut on her, injuring the left side of her body.

Antoinette Gordon filed suit against East Skelly LLC, Jones Lang Lasalle Americas Inc., RLI Ins. Co, Otis Elevator Company and their insurance company in the Orleans Parish Civil District Court on Nov. 4.

The suit states that on May 8, the plaintiff was a patron in East Kelly’s building on Poydras Street in New Orleans. As the plaintiff began to enter the elevator she claims the door suddenly slammed shut on her, smashing the left side of her body.

The defendants are accused of failing to properly maintain the elevator doors in a safe working order, failing to properly supervise employees, failing to properly inspect the elevator doors, failing to follow industry standards, failing to provide safe premises and being otherwise negligent.

The incident allegedly caused the plaintiff to receive severe and painful injuries to her mind and body, for which she has undergone medical treatment, suffered great pain and mental anguish, lost proper sleep and rest and has required medication.

The plaintiff seeks an unspecified amount in damages for mental and physical pain and suffering, medical expenses, lost wages, loss of earning capacity, disability, loss of lifestyle and loss of enjoyment of life.

The plaintiff is represented by Michael S. Brandner Jr. of Brandner Law Firm LLC in New Orleans.

The case has been assigned to Division M Judge Paulette R. Irons.

Case no. 2013-10411.