Woman Files Suit Over Fall In Hospital Parking Lot

A woman from Jefferson County, Texas claims that while she was going to the hospital to check on the medical care of her father, she left her vehicle and was approaching the main entrances of Longview Regional Hospital when she stepped in a hole and fell, suffering personal injuries.

Carol Harrell filed suit against Community Health Systems Inc. and Regional Hospital of Longview LLC on November 13 in the Marshall Division of the Eastern District of Texas, claiming that the main entrance of the hospital was in a condition that was unreasonable and dangerous.

According to the suit, on December 31, 2008, Harrell stepped in a hole and was injured. She claims the hole was caused by erosion around a sprinkler head or from where runoff water drained.

Harrell claims the sprinkler and drain were inadequately built and improperly maintained.

Harrell alleges negligence on the part of the defendants for failure to properly maintain and inspect the entrance area, failure to warn, and failure to discover and correct the unsafe condition in a reasonable amount of time.

Harrell claims the defendants knew of the defective condition and failed to correct it.

Harrell seeks damages for physical pain and suffering, medical care and expenses, mental anguish, physical impairment, and pre and post judgment interest.