Trump Plaza patrons who allege injuries related to elevator accident file suit

Two Philadelphia woman who claim they suffered bodily injuries after an elevator on which they were riding at an Atlantic City, N.J. casino resort dropped from under them have filed a lawsuit against the casino and the company that installed the elevator.

Philadelphia lawyer Ivan J. Feiner, of the Law Offices of Coco, Feiner & Citron, P.C., filed the product liability complaint Sept. 9 at the Philadelphia Court of Common Pleas on behalf of Barbara Gantt and Shalena Harris.

The defendants named in the lawsuit are the Farmington, CT-based Otis Elevator Company and Trump Plaza, which is located on the Atlantic City Boardwalk.

According to the civil complaint, the two women were taking the elevator inside the Trump Plaza back on May 8, 2010 at about 7:45 in the evening, when the device, suddenly and without warning, dropped two floors, causing each to sustain various physical injuries.

As a result of the incident, Gantt suffered injuries, including but not limited to, cervical sprain, strain and contusion with disc herniation; disc protrusion; disc bulges; shoulder sprain, strain and contusion with distal tear; general body discomfort and a severe shock to her nerves and nervous system, the lawsuit states.

Harris, the suit claims, suffered cervical sprain, strain and contusion; lumbosacral sprain, strain and contusion with disc bulge; general body discomfort and a severe shock to her nerves and nervous system.

Both women have also suffered severe physical pain, mental anguish, humiliation, embarrassment and extreme nervousness and are expected to suffer the same for an indefinite period into the future, the lawsuit states.

Both plaintiffs have also had to spend various sums of money on medical treatment.

The lawsuit accuses the defendants of carelessness, negligence, recklessness and wantonness for failing to regard the rights, safety and position of the plaintiffs; failing to inspect the elevator so as to guard against such “defective and unsafe conditions;” failing to issue verbal or written warnings to business invitees about the condition of the elevator; permitting the dangerous and defective condition to exist and remain for a long period of time prior to the incident in question; failing to correct the dangerous and defective condition; failing to exercise due care under the circumstances; and being negligent in law and in fact.

Both plaintiffs seek judgment against the defendants in sums in excess of $50,000.

A jury trial has not yet been demanded.

The case number is 110900568.