Royal Carriages sued over mule mishap; accused of injury after mule bumped car

NEW ORLEANS – Three New Orleans residents are suing a French Quarter carriage company, its insurer, and one of their employees for the defendants' alleged negligence and failure to control a mule which reportedly made impact with the plaintiffs' motor vehicle.

Paul Williams, Mary Jones-Williams and Chermaine Jones filed suit against Gay 90s Carriage, Royal Carriages, Columbia Casualty Insurance Company and Carlo Gambino in the Orleans Parish Civil District Court on Aug. 11.

The plaintiffs claim that on Aug. 10, 2013, they were driving on Chartres Street in the French Quarter on the day of the Red Dress Run. According to the suit, there were many pedestrians due to the day's event and traffic was often stalled.

The plaintiffs allege that a mule-drawn carriage was immediately following their Toyota Corolla and Carlo Gambino was reportedly the driver. The petition states that the mule's head hovered over the car's trunk at all times and the mule's body bumped the rear of the vehicle on multiple occasions.

The Williamses and Joneses assert that they have sustained many injuries as a result of the mule's collisions with their automobile, including lower back pain, knee pain, ankle injuries and headaches. The plaintiffs claim that these injuries have required medical treatment.

The suit states that the plaintiffs' vehicle has also sustained scratches to the paint and damage to the trunk from the mule's reigns and bodily impact.

The defendants are accused of negligence, including failure to maintain control over the mule, failure to stop at adequate distances and careless operation of the carriage.

The plaintiff seeks an unknown amount in damages for physical pain and suffering, emotional distress, mental anguish, medical expenses, loss of enjoyment of life, property damage, loss of use of the vehicle and diminished value of the vehicle.

Paul Williams, Mary Jones-Williams and Chermaine Jones are represented by attorney Sherry Legaux.

The case has been assigned to District D Judge Lloyd J. Medley.

Case no. 2014-07884.