Man sues after allegedly being crushed by house

NEW ORLEANS – A local man is suing a local construction company and one of its employees after a house fell on him.

Alexander Mendoza Ruiz filed suit against AVN Construction, an AVN employee identified as John Doe in this suit, and their insurance company in the Orleans Parish Civil District Court on Jan. 27.

Ruiz alleges that on Sept. 12, 2013 he was working for Brimmer Construction on the elevation of a home on Mounds Avenue in New Orleans. He asserts that an employee of AVN Construction, yet to be named in this case, was also working on the same home, correcting termite damage and bracing the house for elevation. Ruiz claims that as he was lowering the house, it suddenly collapsed on him. The suit alleges that the John Doe was working for AVN and therefore AVN is also at fault. Ruiz claims he was in no way responsible for the accident. The suit alleges that the accident left him with injuries including shoulder pain, multiple deep lacerations and abrasions to his skin, top and back of his head, causing pain and discomfort, mental anguish, pain and suffering, inconvenience, lost wages, future loss of earning capacity, etc.

AVN is accused of failing to instruct its employees in proper protocol and procedure, hiring an incapable or unskilled worker, failing to keep proper lookout over their workers activities, negligent supervision, and failing to take into account the safety of others.

John Doe is accused of failing to properly brace the house when it was elevated, failing to correct the termite damage, failing to follow proper protocol instituted by his employer and other acts of negligence.

Plaintiff is represented by attorney Miguel A. Elias of Kenner.

Case is assigned to Division F Judge Christopher J. Bruno.

Case no. 2014-00826.