Cement street barricade allegedly falls on pedestrian, Southern Recycling sued for negligence


NEW ORLEANS – A man is suing Southern Recycling for allegedly stacking cement blocks in a hazardous manner, which he claims resulted in his injury.

Theronn Stevenson filed suit against Southern Recycling LLC in the Orleans Parish Civil District Court on June 25.

Stevenson claims that on July 26, 2013, he was walking on a sidewalk bordering the Southern Recycling scrap yard on Lafitte Street in New Orleans. Southern Recycling's property was bounded by a fence, which Stevenson allegedly placed his hand upon as he traversed alongside the premises, the suit claims.

Stevenson asserts that a cement block that had been stacked within the enclosure abruptly toppled and crashed through the fence. Stevenson contends that the cement block, formerly a street barricade, landed on him and pinned him to the ground.

The suit states that the assistance of the New Orleans Fire Department was required to free Stevenson from beneath the alleged former street barricade. 

Stevenson claims that he sustained three fractures in his left leg as a result of the incident.

The defendant is accused of negligence, including exposing the general public to danger by stacking cement blocks against a chain link fence, failing to warn of hazards and failing to properly stack cement blocks.

The plaintiff is seeking an unknown amount in damages for personal injuries, medical bills, prescription bills, lost wages, physical pain and suffering, mental anguish and court costs.

Theronn Stevenson is represented by Sean P. Early of Klotz & Early.

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



Case no. 2014-06295.