BEAUMONT – Following a three-day civil trial, a Jefferson County found no negligence on the part of Americas Best Value Inn for injuries caused to a motel guest who alleged she cut her heel on a gate surrounding the motel’s pool.
Liberty County resident Donna Rudolph sued the motel on April 12, 2013 in Jefferson County District Court.
The case went to trial April 4 and ended April 7.
Court records show that on Aug. 11, 2012, Rudolph was staying at the Beaumont motel with her children and grandchildren. As she passed through the pool gate, the gate swung behind her hard, causing a jagged rusty spike to strike her ankle.
“The exposed … spike dug into her Achilles and took out a plug of flesh, causing her extreme pain and bleeding,” the suit states. “Ms. Rudolph sought help from the hotel staff, but she was pointed in the direction of an ice machine by a hotel employee.”
Because of the injury, Rudolph alleged she could not drive and work and might require surgery before she can fully recover.
Jurors assigned all of the negligence to Rudolph, finding no blame with the motel, according to the charge of the court.
She was seeking damages for her alleged past and future medical expenses, mental anguish, pain, impairment, disfigurement and lost wages.
The suit was filed through attorney Andrew Gertz of Gertz Adair Law Firm.
Judge Gary Sanderson, 6oth District Court, presided over the trial.
Case No. B194-239