Jefferson Co. hit with $351K verdict in trial over fall at jail

A jury has rendered a verdict of more than $350,000 against Jefferson County, finding that the county is responsible for a woman’s slip and fall at the county jail.

As previously reported, Noryour Akins filed suit against the county on Sept. 27, 2010, in Jefferson County District Court, alleging there were no signs warning that the floor had been recently mopped.

The case went to trial on Oct. 29 and ended a few days later.

According to the court’s charge to the jury, the jury found that the county failed to warn Akins of the dangerous slip hazard, assigning 100 percent of the negligence to the governing entity.

Jurors awarded Akins $239,884.76 for her past and future medical expenses, $7,000 for her past and future pain, $2,000 for her mental anguish$3,500 for her past and future impairment and finally $100,660 for her past and future lost wages.

The lawsuit alleges that Akins was at the Jefferson County Correctional Facility on Highway 69 on March 16, 2010.

“Akins exited the officers’ dining room and entered the hallway that had just been mopped by employees of the county or inmates,” the suit states. “The floor was still wet and there were no signs to warn her of this dangerous condition. She fell and suffered injuries to her back, lower extremities, head and right shoulder.”

Beaumont attorney Marc Henry of Henry & Fuller represents Akins.

The county is represented by Assistant District Attorney Phillip Babin.

Judge Donald Floyd, 172nd District Court, is presiding.

Case No. E188-437