GRETNA – A Jefferson Parish man is seeking damages after he was stuck in an elevator for nearly an hour.
Gregory J. Barton filed a suit Feb. 17 against Oschner Medical Center-Kenner LLC and Otis Elevator Co. in the 24th Judicial District Court, alleging negligence.
According to the claim, the plaintiff was visiting his wife in the Oschner Medical Center, 80 W. Esplanade Ave. in Kenner, on Feb. 20, 2016, when the incident occurred. The suit states that as the plaintiff was riding in the elevator, the power shut off and the emergency telephone malfunctioned as well. The plaintiff suffered a bout of panic and feared that he was experiencing a heart attack, since he has a pacemaker, the complaint said. He was stuck in the elevator for nearly one hour when the doors were opened and the plaintiff was sent to the emergency room.
The defendant is accused of negligence through failing to ensure that the elevator and emergency phone were working, for failing to provide those inside the elevator with a way out and failing to respond to the incident in a more timely fashion.
The plaintiff is seeking all reasonable sums due, attorney fees and court costs. He is represented by Kevin Schoenberger of the Law Office of Kevin C. Schoenberger in New Orleans.
The case has been assigned to Division F Judge Michael Mentz.
The 24th Judicial District Court Case number 769195.