Amusement ride accident results in lawsuit against adjacent church, carnival operator

GRETNA – A passenger on an amusement ride who claims she was injured when a piece of the ride came loose and hit her is suing.

Valerie Lala, on behalf of Victoria Parria, filed suit against William Purdy, Amusement Attractions Inc., Our Lady of Prompt Succor Catholic Church, Westwego Louisiana and their insurers in the 24th Judicial District Court on Oct. 2.

Lala claims that on Oct. 11, 2013 Parria was a patron at a fair on property controlled by Our Lady of Prompt Succor Catholic Church located at 146 4th St. in Westwego. The plaintiff alleges that Parria was a passenger on the Dragon Amusement Ride owned and operated by William Purdy, doing business as Amusement Attractions Inc., when a component of the ride came loose and struck Parria causing her injury.

The defendant is accused of materially deviating from specifications of design, failing to properly maintain the ride, providing a ride that was unreasonably dangerous in design, misrepresenting that the ride was fit for use and failing to adopt and implement proper safety precautions.

An unspecified amount in damages is sought for scarring, disfigurement, medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, mental anguish, distress, suffering and loss of enjoyment of life.

Lala is represented by attorney Mark G. Tauzier of Hammond.

The case has been assigned to Division P Judge Lee V. Faulkner Jr.

Case no. 743-014.