GALVESTON - After falling from a scaffold at her brother-in-law's house, Dickinson resident Sharla Kirklighter has filed a lawsuit.
Recent court documents filed Sept. 9 in Galveston County District Court say Kemah local Henry Farroux told Kirklighter to stand on the scaffold which he reportedly built.
According to the original petition, the scaffold was wobbly and caused the plaintiff to lose her balance.
The alleged incident took place on Sept. 20, 2010. Kirklighter and her husband were visiting Farroux when he asked the couple to help him paint his house.
"The defendant requested the plaintiff to stand on a homemade scaffold built by the defendant which consisted of two 2X4X8 ft. boards," the suit says.
"After the plaintiff climbed up the scaffold, it became shaky and unstable."
Kirklighter says she fell as she straddled the boards, breaking her tail bone. She also suffered a herniated disk and other injuries in the groin area.
It adds "the plaintiff was not symptomatic prior to the fall and had never been treated for the injuries she received from the fall."
"These injuries caused the plaintiff significant pain and physical limitations which have not been corrected," the suit says.
"The plaintiff was forced to undergo epidural steroid injections which did not relieve the pain."
Kirklighter claims she also requires an operation.
Consequently, she seeks unspecified monetary damages and a jury trial.
Attorney Ron D. Harris of Houston is representing Kirklighter, and Galveston County 405th District Court Judge Wayne Mallia is presiding over the case.
Case No. 11-cv-1433