Man allegedly suffers debilitating injuries after being struck by a forklift

NEW ORLEANS – A man is suing after allegedly suffering severe injuries after being run over by a forklift while working at the New Orleans Convention Center.

Kevin Neeb filed suit against Freeman Expositions Inc. and Earl Carter in the Orleans Parish Civil District Court on Sept. 18.

Neeb claims that on Oct. 2, 2013, Athalon Group LLC employed him to work at the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center located at 900 Convention Center Blvd. in New Orleans.

According to the complaint, the defendant, Earl Carter, was manning a forklift this day, when suddenly and without warning, the plaintiff was allegedly struck to the ground by the forklift. At the time of the incident Carter was employed and under the instruction of Freeman Expositions Inc.

The defendants are accused of failing to properly operate the forklift, failing to supervise the forklift, failing to inspect the load carried by the forklift, failing to prevent a dangerous condition, failing to yield the right of way to pedestrians, failing to properly instruct the defendant, failing to establish training protocol, failing to commence a background check on the defendant, failing to warn of the incompetent nature of the defendant, failing to properly monitor its personnel and failing to hire a responsible crew.

The plaintiff is seeking an unspecified amount in damages for medical expenses, loss of wages, pain and suffering, disabilities, loss of enjoyment of life, mental agony and emotional turmoil.

The plaintiff is represented by D. Steven Wanko and Chase T. Villeret of Wanko Law Firm LLC.

The case has been assigned to Div. A Judge Tiffany G. Chase.

Case no. 2014-09200.