$800,000 recovered for disabled hotel guest injured in unsafe New Orleans hotel entrance

Case Overview

Peggy and her adult son traveled from North Carolina to New Orleans for what was supposed to
be a joyful family trip before departing on a cruise vacation. Because of certain health
conditions, Peggy used a motorized mobility scooter to help her safely navigate longer distances.

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After arriving in New Orleans, Peggy successfully traveled throughout the French Quarter and
nearby tourist areas without incident. However, while returning to her hotel through the main
entrance, tragedy struck.

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The hotel’s entrance required guests to travel through an active garage area while maneuvering
around vehicle traffic. The entrance itself contained a relatively small, sloped flagstone ramp
made up of almost 100 uneven stone surfaces leading directly into the hotel lobby.

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As Peggy attempted to maneuver her scooter through the entrance doors, the scooter suddenly
tipped over due to the excessive and uneven slope of the ramp, violently throwing her onto the
ground.

The fall caused catastrophic injuries.

Peggy was transported by ambulance to the hospital, where she was diagnosed with a severe
fractured hip and head injury. Emergency surgery was required to repair the fracture using
implanted hardware extending deep into her femur and hip. The recovery process that followed
was extraordinarily painful and emotionally devastating.

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Following surgery, Peggy endured extensive rehabilitation, physical therapy, and months of
dependence on family members for even basic daily activities. Before the incident, Peggy had
been independent and capable of caring for herself despite her physical limitations. After the fall,
many of those abilities were permanently lost.

Flattmann Law conducted extensive investigation and litigation into the dangerous condition of
the hotel entrance. Through discovery and expert analysis, evidence revealed that the ramp
violated numerous local, state, national, and federal accessibility and safety standards.
Engineering experts identified excessive slopes, inadequate landing areas, uneven flagstone
surfaces, improper turning space, and multiple ADA-related safety failures involving the hotel
entrance.

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Importantly, depositions also revealed that hotel employees had previously expressed concerns
among themselves about the safety of the scooter navigating the entrance area and uneven
terrain. Despite those concerns, no warning or assistance was provided to Peggy before the
incident occurred.

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The litigation further uncovered significant confusion and lack of accountability among hotel
management regarding ADA compliance responsibilities and guest safety oversight.
As a result of the injuries, Peggy suffered permanent physical limitations, chronic pain,
emotional distress, loss of independence, and substantial reductions in her quality of life.
Medical experts concluded that she would likely require long-term assistance and ongoing care
for the remainder of her life.

After extensive litigation, expert discovery, depositions, and negotiations, the case ultimately
resolved during litigation for $800,000.