Pregnant woman sues Cox Communications after tripping on exposed cable in mother’s back yard

GRETNA – A woman who claims she was injured when she tripped on exposed wires in her mother’s backyard when she was eight months pregnant is suing the cable company that owns the wires.

Chardae Nickae Melancon filed suit against Cox Communications Louisiana LLC, Broadspire Services Inc., Superior Telecom Services Inc., Liberty Mutual Insurance Co. and Irtanki Inc. in the 24th Judicial District Court on Aug. 26.

Melancon contends that Cox Communications installed services and accompanying wires at her mother’s home located at 2041 Carver Drive in Marrero on June 7, 2013 and left wires exposed in the backyard, yet promised to bury them at a later date. The plaintiff asserts that the wires were not buried and that on Aug. 26, 2013, when she was eight months pregnant, she tripped and fell over a large wired that had been left unburied. Melancon claims that Cox Communications had already been informed that the wire had not been buried and the next day another request was put in to bury the wire and on Aug. 29, 2013 the wire was buried.

The plaintiff alleges she injured her arm, right side and received soreness and other bodily injuries in the incident.

The defendant is accused of leaving services incomplete and failing to properly finish the installation.

An unspecified amount in damages is sought for physical pain and suffering, mental anguish, loss of enjoyment of life, lost wages, disability, impairment of earning capacity and medical expenses.

Melancon is represented by Robert A. Pearson of Harvey-based Pearson & Mitchell.

The case has been assigned to Division N Judge Stephen D. Enright Jr.

Case no. 741-681.