GALVESTON – What was supposed to be a mundane elevator ride at work reportedly resulted in injury for a local woman.
Janice Stanard of Galveston believes Millar Elevator Service Company and others were oblivious to the presence of a reportedly shoddy elevator at the University of Texas Medical Branch, according to a lawsuit filed on May 8 in Galveston County District Court.
The elevator, says the suit, moved erratically while Stanard was on board.
"On or about May 20, 2006, Plaintiff entered the elevator in the Levin Hall Building where she worked as an operator for UTMB in Galveston, Galveston County, Texas," explains the case. "After Plaintiff entered the elevator, the elevator started bouncing and jerking up and down, causing Plaintiff to suffer serious physical and emotional injuries."
Other defendants in the suit are Millar Elevator Industries Inc., Schindler Elevator Corporation, Tri-State/Schindler Elevator Company, Schindler Holdings Inc. and UTMB Healthcare Systems.
The suit generally blames the defendants' "negligent acts or omissions" for Stanard's reported ordeal, accusing them of failing to maintain, repair, and inspect the elevators located at the 117-year-old medical institution.
Other accusations include:
Consequently, Stanard incurred physical pain and impairment, mental anguish, lofty medical expenses, and loss of earnings, contends the suit. She, with the help of attorney Mark O. Midani, actively seeks damages that include but not limited to "compensation for medical expenses incurred in the accident for bodily injuries suffered by Plaintiff and for future medical expenses she will incur."
The case has been assigned to Judge Wayne Mallia, 405th District Court.
Case No. 08CV0485