PITTSBURGH – A Western Pennsylvania woman says she suffered a broken left arm and other injuries after falling while making a trip to the restroom of a Pittsburgh bar, and has brought legal action against the establishment for damages.
Gabrielle Williams of Level Green filed suit in the Allegheny County Court of Common Pleas on Dec. 18 versus Baumar, Inc. (doing business as “The Monkey Bar”), of Pittsburgh.
“On or about Dec. 13, 2019, plaintiff was a patron at The Monkey Bar located at 703 Clairton Boulevard, Pittsburgh, Allegheny County, Pennsylvania 15236, which contained a staircase that led to the restroom on the lower level,” the suit says.
“Plaintiff used the above-referenced staircase to use the restroom on the lower level when suddenly and without warning, plaintiff tripped and fell down the entire set of stairs, which were non-compliant with the applicable regulations, thereby causing serious injuries which may be permanent in nature.”
The plaintiff alleges the bar was negligent in its maintenance of the area and that she suffered a number of injuries in the resulting fall, including a broken left arm, right knee laceration, soft tissue damage, contusions, bumps, bruises and abrasions, physical pain and mental anguish, lacerations and permanent scarring.
“Here, the danger was an easily perceptible one. The defect existed at the time the staircase was constructed, not in compliance with the applicable regulations. As the property owner, defendant was surely aware that these defects existed, as they would have been obvious with even a cursory inspection,” according to the suit.
“Despite actual notice and actual knowledge of the aforementioned defects, defendant chose to continuously disregard a known risk of harm in intentional, wanton or reckless conduct indifference to the rights of others, including plaintiff. Indeed, it was only a matter of time before an injury occurred as a result of this dangerous condition.”
For counts of negligence (premises liability), negligence per se (Borough of Pleasant Hills Code), the plaintiff is seeking damages, jointly and severally, in excess of $35,000, plus punitive damages.
The plaintiff is represented by Joshua P. Ward of J.P. Ward & Associates, in Pittsburgh.
The defendant has not yet obtained legal counsel.
Allegheny County Court of Common Pleas case GD-20-012814
From the Pennsylvania Record: Reach Courts Reporter Nicholas Malfitano at nick.malfitano@therecordinc.com