Transit company sued over fall on bus

NEW ORLEANS – A local man is suing after falling on a New Orleans city bus.

Desmond Ables filed suit against the Transit Management of Southeast Louisiana Inc. in the Orleans Parish Civil District Court on Jan. 24.

Ables claims he boarded a bus on Canal Street on Jan. 24, 2013 at 4:31 p.m., and unable to find a seat, stood near the rear exit. He alleges he was jolted in traffic and fell and injured his back buttocks. The suit claims he needed help from fellow bus riders and was subsequently treated at Tulane University Hospital.

The defendant is accused of failing to maintain proper control, failing to take evasive actions to avoid the accident, failing to see what was necessary to avoid the accident, failing to keep a proper lookout and other acts of negligence.

Ables is suing for damages including pain and suffering, mental anguish, lost wages and reimbursement for all medical expenses.

Ables filed the suit pro se.

Transit Management of Southeast Lousiana responded to the suit March 21, denying any fault or wrongdoing.

They are represented by Michael J. Hall of New Orleans.

The case has been assigned to Division L Judge Kern A. Reese.

Case no. 2014-00943.