Tenant says manager ignored roof leak that resulted in ceiling collapse

While emptying a bucket that had been collecting leaking water that was permeating through her roof, a former Hamlet Townhomes tenant says her ceiling caved in and collapsed on her � leaving her forever impaired.

The incident happened nearly two years ago, and now Lori While claims she put Normandy Townhomes on notice that her apartment's roof was leaking. White filed suit against the property management company on May 22 in the Jefferson County District Court.

On May 29, 2006, White was living at Hamlet Townhouses, located at 3925 Crow Road in Beaumont. She says she was severely injured when her ceiling "collapsed and fell down on top of her as she was attempting to empty a bucket of water, which she was (being used to collect water from the) leaking roof."

"Prior to this incident, Defendant was on notice of water leaks in Plaintiff's apartment," the suit said. "The lack of proper maintenance and repair of the apartment roof was a dangerous condition that proximately caused this incident."

White is suing Normandy Townhomes for past and future mental anguish, impairment and medical expenses.

She is represented by attorney Shane Kadlec of the Ivey & Kadlec law firm.

The case has been assigned to Judge Milton Shuffield, 136th District Court.

Case No. D181-786