Woman alleges she was injured on Galveston bus, sues public transport service

GALVESTON � A Galveston County woman claims she suffered whiplash-like injuries during a bus ride to Galveston last year.

Idlyn Roy's personal injury lawsuit against The Gulf Coast Center MHMR alleges that on June 9, 2008, the plaintiff was thrown into the back of the driver's seat when the vehicle reportedly made a hard stop at an intersection in La Marque.

"The plaintiff sustained blunt trauma musculoskeletal injuries requiring medical treatment when she was thrown onto the floor and into the rear of the rear of the driver's seat directly in front of her by the abrupt and rapid deceleration of the bus to avoid running a red traffic light," the suit says.

The case was filed Nov. 17 in Galveston County District Court.

Roy was a participant in a public transportation service provided by the defendant at the time of the incident, according to court papers. The plaintiff boarded the bus in La Marque, sitting down directly behind the driver.

The vehicle traveled at approximately 45 mph just as it approached a red light at the intersection of Highway 3 and FM 519.

The driver suddenly slammed the brakes in an attempt not to run it, and Roy was ejected from her seat in the process, the suit says.

"The rapid deceleration of the bus caused another passenger to be thrown about the bus along with the plaintiff," the original petition states.

Roy says she stayed on the bus until it reached the defendant's offices in Galveston. Upon arrival, the plaintiff informed the person in charge about her predicament.

The office tried to call for an ambulance, but Roy refused and proceeded with her visit, the suit says, adding that the increasing pain and stiffness prompted the plaintiff to eventually accept medical treatment at the nearby University of Texas Medical Branch.

Roy claims she hurt her arms, right leg, neck, back, hips, thighs, and entire body.

The defendant is ultimately faulted for the driver's alleged wrongdoing and misconduct, but the employee is not named a party in the suit.

Roy seeks undisclosed monetary damages for pain and suffering, impairment, mental anguish, and medical expenses.

She is represented by Houston attorney Clement Aldridge Jr.

The case has been assigned to Galveston County 122nd District Court Judge John Ellisor.

Case No. 09CV2116