NEW ORLEANS – A New Orleans woman is suing the New Orleans Sewerage and Water Board claiming that she was walking toward a dessert shop when she tripped over an unsecured water meter and severely sprained her ankle.
Jennifer E. King filed suit against New Orleans Sewerage and Water Board in the Orleans Parish Civil District Court on June 10.
The suit says that on Sept.5, 2014, the plaintiff was walking on the sidewalk and approaching New Orleans Sno-Balls & Smoothies located at 4315 Elysian Fields. During the walk plaintiff stepped on what appeared to be a secured water meter cover and severely sprained her ankle. She alleges that an employee had failed to properly secure the cover with the proper screws. She was transported to Tulane-Lakeside Emergency Department in Metairie and diagnosed with a severe ankle sprain. She alleges that the medical costs incurred to date are in excess of $3,900.
The defendant is accused of failing to maintain its property and water meter/water meter covers in a safe manner, failing to place warning signs/cones in the area near the cover opening and failing to otherwise warn the plaintiff of the hole's location.
King seeks damages in an unspecified amount for medical expenses, mental anguish, inability to engage in social and physical activities, loss of income, loss of enjoyment of life, permanent disability and legal fees.
She is represented by attorney Leonard A. Washofsky of Metairie.
This case has been assigned to Div. J Judge Paula A. Brown.
Case no. 2015-05553.