A woman delivering papers for the Beaumont Enterprise is suing two property management companies and two local residents after she tripped and fell down a flight of stairs while distributing the news.
Denise Griffin filed suit against Maison Helena Townhomes Association, American Real Estate Corp., Melba DuPlantis and John Read on Oct. 15 in Jefferson County District Court, claiming the stairs she slipped on were negligently maintained.
Two years ago, on Oct. 16, 2006, Griffin was out on her route when she stopped at Maison Helena Townhomes in Nederland to deliver newspapers to residents DuPlantis and Reaud, court papers say.
As she climbed a flight of stairs to reach the residents' units, "Griffin slipped, fell and sustained injuries," the suit states.
"The incident, and plaintiff's injuries and damages, were proximately caused by the negligence of defendants."
While the suit blames the defendants for negligently causing Griffins' injuries, the suit does not detail how the defendants were negligent or state how the steps were "unreasonably dangerous."
Griffin is suing for past and future mental anguish, medical expenses, lost wages and impairment.
She is represented by the Law Offices of John A. Carwile in Houston.
The case has been assigned to Judge Milton Shuffield, 136th Judicial District.
Case No. D182-546