Man blames fall from bus on company negligence

A Jefferson County man has filed suit against a transportation company, alleging he sustained a fractured ankle while attempting to disembark a bus.

Burton Doiron claims he was a passenger on defendant Gulf Coast Transportation's bus on July 19, 2008, when the incident occurred.

"At approximately 6:00 p.m., Defendant returned passengers, including Plaintiff, from a day trip and pulled up on the shoulder of the parking lot of Dupont-Goodrich Credit Union to unload the Beaumont passengers," the suit filed June 21 in Jefferson County District Court states. "Plaintiff Doiron was seriously injured as he fell when exiting the bus."

Among his injuries were a "huge" skin tear, left leg pain and a serious fracture to his left ankle, according to the complaint. In addition to his injuries, Doiron incurred medical costs, lost his earnings and his earning capacity, sustained physical impairment and experienced physical pain and mental anguish, the complaint says.

Doiron blames Gulf Coast Transportation for negligently failing to keep a proper lookout, for failing to park the bus in a designated safe area, for failing to have adequate policies in place regarding the investigation of a fall and for failing to provide a high degree of care to its passengers.

In his complaint, Doiron is seeking an unspecified judgment, plus pre-judgment interest, costs and other relief to which he may be entitled.

Jonathan C. Juhan and Timothy Sawyer of the Law Office of Jonathan C. Juhan in Beaumont will be representing him.

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

Jefferson County District Court case number: D187-118.