If youāre a New Orleans native, chances are youād recognize the Plaza Tower anywhere. Itās an iconic skyscraper thatās been around since the 1960s, viewed by some as a historic landmark and by others as a blight on the cityās skyline.
But regardless of where you fall on the question of the towerās aesthetics, the decaying building is undeniably a safety hazard. Falling debrisĀ injured a passing bicyclistĀ on May 20th, leaving many wondering about the future of the building, and who is responsible for any injuries it causes.
As the law firm representing the injured party, Wright & Gray Personal Injury Attorneys can provide some context about the buildingās history andĀ premises liabilityĀ cases in general. When construction was first announced in 1964, the building was hailed as a āsymbol of the progressive spirit of the city.ā Its eclectic design borrowed from different architectural styles and was intended to be a unique addition to the New Orleans skyline.
But over the decades, various structural, mechanical, and financial problems plagued the building. By the 1980s, the building was already looking outdated, and residents complained about leaks, broken elevators, and toxic mold.
It wasnāt until asbestos was discovered in 2002 that the building was shut down, and in the two decades since, it has passed from one failed development plan to another.
Finally, in 2014, the building was bought by local hotelier and developer Joe Jaeger, who has allowed the building to fall into disrepair. Jaeger has since promised to put up protective materials and has plans to revitalize the building, but has not been forthcoming with details. Itās clear that ever since the building was first built, it has had a poor record with health and safety.
These are just some of the injuries and health problems caused by the property over the years:
Anyone who owns property that other people use has a āduty of careā to prevent that property from being unsafe or harming its users.
If the injured party can prove that the property owner was negligent in maintaining the property, then they breached this āduty of care,ā and the injured party is entitled to compensation from the property owner.
In addition to the examples above, here are some of the most common types of premises liability cases:
If you are injured in any of these ways by someone elseās property, you may have a case to prove that the property owner acted negligently. The most important step you can take toward recovering damage is to hire a premises liability attorney. At Wright & Gray, we represent clients who have been injured in all sorts of accidents, including premises liability accidents. We dedicate ourselves to getting every client the settlement he or she needs to recover.Ā Contact usĀ today to schedule a free consultation.