Victims Hurt In 2015 Novelty Train Accident File Personal Injury Lawsuit
Lawyers representing an elderly resident hurt while riding a novelty train at McKendree Village recently filed a personal injury lawsuit against the adult assisted living facility and entertainment company claiming the defendant’s negligence led to their serious injuries. The suit asks for $1 million in damages as compensation for the accident and ensuing life changes the accident caused.
The case began in May 2015 when McKendree Village, an assisted living facility located at 4343 Lebanon Pike, hired Active Entertainment to take some of its residents on a novelty train ride around the apartment complex. The 21-year-old train operator claims he took the train on a test drive down the planned route prior to the accident and did not experience any issues.
However, while driving the train with twelve residents in tow the novelty train tipped over as it came down a slight decline. The plaintiff in this case claims she suffered internal bleeding, a broken hip, back and neck injuries and a bump on the head. While the victim has subsequently returned to her apartment, she claims the accident has forever changed the way she lives.
Nursing home negligence to blame for injuries, plaintiff claims
The novelty train the nursing home residents were riding was actually a converted lawnmower made to look like a train, according to reports. Investigators believe the train’s brakes may have been defective or the machine was not designed to carry the weight of a dozen grown adults. Local media outlets also discovered Active Entertainment operated its novelty train without a license or insurance.
Active Entertainment’s owner told news outlets she did not know her business required insurance or a permit to operate the novelty train. Under Tennessee law, the Department of Labor oversees amusement rides and issues permits for their operation.
In all, eight elderly residents were harmed in the accident with the plaintiff being the most serious. Seven were taken to the hospital after the accident and one refused medical attention. An lawyer for the plaintiffs questioned why McKendree Village would put the safety of its residents at risk by not properly investigating the credentials of a business before allowing them to interact with those individuals.
Nashville Personal Injury Lawsuits
If you were hurt by the carelessness of someone else, you may be able to hold them responsible for your injuries by filing Nashville personal injury lawsuits. Tennessee negligence laws hold that we must all take reasonable steps not to endanger the health and safety of others and the Nashville personal injury lawyers of Calhoun Law, PLC understand the law and what it takes to get our clients justice.
Depending on the circumstances of the case, personal injury victims may be entitled to compensation for their lost wages, medical bills, hospital expenses, pain and suffering, and mental anguish. For a free legal consultation about your case, contact our office. Because strict time deadlines apply to filing Nashville personal injury lawsuits we ask you contact our office at your earliest convenience.