PITTSBURGH – A Western Pennsylvania couple has launched litigation against a dance studio which hosted an event where the wife-plaintiff was seriously injured, after her leg came into contact with a rolling table cart.
Janis L. Lento and Alfred M. Lento of Venetia filed suit in the Allegheny County Court of Common Pleas on Jan. 19 versus Borelli’s Dancy Gallery, Inc. (doing business as “Borelli’s Dance Gallery”), of Bethel Park.
On June 9, 2019, the Dance Gallery, a for-profit dance studio, held a dance recital at Upper St. Clair High School, where tickets for admission were sold to members of the public.
“On June 9, 2019, at 1 p.m., plaintiff attended the event to see her granddaughter perform at the recital organized by Dance Gallery. Plaintiff was a business invitee who had paid Dance Gallery for admission onto the property for the purpose of attending the event,” the suit states.
“At or about the time of intermission, plaintiff exited the auditorium where the event was held and proceeded toward the front entrance of the property, so that she could make a telephone call. Shortly thereafter, plaintiff attempted to return to the auditorium, when, suddenly and without warning, her right leg came into contact with a rolling table cart that was placed in an unreasonably dangerous manner, causing her to fall violently to the floor and sustain substantial injuries.”
The plaintiffs allege that the defendant knew or should have known of the dangerous, hazardous and defective condition that existed on the property.
“Defendant failed to take any steps to eliminate the hazard, reduce its danger to invitees or otherwise warn invitees, including plaintiff, of the dangerous and defective condition,” per the suit.
For counts of negligence and loss of consortium, the plaintiff is seeking unspecified damages, plus interests, costs, all other relief this Honorable Court deems just and appropriate, plus a trial by jury.
The plaintiffs are represented by Joseph M. Gaydos Jr. and Michael R. Potochny of Gaydos Gaydos & Associates, in White Oak.
The defendant has not yet obtained legal counsel.
Allegheny County Court of Common Pleas case GD-21-000546
From the Pennsylvania Record: Reach Courts Reporter Nicholas Malfitano at nick.malfitano@therecordinc.com