Man sues over alleged injury sustained from falling metal pole at Superdome

NEW ORLEANS – The Superdome, Entergy, American Capital Strategies and Freeman Expositions are being sued for alleged negligence resulting in the injury of over injuries suffered by a Jefferson Parish man due to a falling metal pole.

Fred Phipps filed suit against the Louisiana Stadium and Exposition District, American Capital Strategies, Freeman Expositions Inc. and Entergy Services in the Orleans Parish Civil District Court on March 18.

Phipps claims that on March 24, 2013 he was attending the Home and Garden Show at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. At the day’s conclusion, Phipps asserts that he was walking towards the exit and approaching the Entergy booth.

According to the suit, an Entergy Services employee was pulling down hanging signs using a wooden handle as Phipps neared the booth. The employee’s attempts to remove the signs allegedly caused a metal pole from the framing of the Entergy booth to become loose and fall, striking Phipps on his right side.

Phipps claims that as a result of the alleged accident and negligence, he sustained significant injuries including herniation of two discs, lumbar strain, a right anterior rib contusion, partial tear of the conjoined biceps tendon, and severe and permanent headaches.

The defendants are accused of gross and wanton negligence, to include failing to discover and correct a dangerous condition, defective design and/or construction of exhibit booths, failure to supervise and train personnel regarding the proper procedures for removal of signs from exhibit booths, and failure to properly maintain the proper construction of exhibit booths.

The plaintiff is seeking an unknown amount in damages for past, present, and future medicine, drugs, hospitalization, medical care, lost wages, loss of wage earning capacity, pain and suffering, residual disabilities, mental anguish, emotional upset and distress, loss of the enjoyment of life, rehabilitation and support care.

Fred Phipps is represented by Benjamin J. Birdsall Jr. of Birdsall Law Firm, Inc.

The case has been assigned to Division I Judge Piper D. Griffin.

Case no. 2014-02714.