A former security guard has filed a lawsuit against the city of New Orleans, alleging that he was subjected to a brutal ramming attack on New Year’s Day 2022, causing him to suffer serious injuries.
According to the lawsuit, which was filed on December 1, the 43-year-old security guard was working a New Year’s Eve shift at a downtown bar when a reveler lost control of a stolen vehicle and drove it into a crowd of people on Canal Street. The security guard was struck by the vehicle and suffered serious injuries, including a broken leg and a punctured lung.
The lawsuit, filed in Orleans Parish Civil District Court, accuses the city of New Orleans and several city agents of being responsible for the attack, citing a failure to provide adequate security measures to protect the public during a major event.
The lawsuit also names the individual who allegedly stole the vehicle, as well as several other parties, including the bar where the security guard was working, and accuses them of being responsible for the attack.
The security guard is seeking damages in excess of $1 million to compensate him for his medical expenses, lost wages, and other damages resulting from the attack.
The lawsuit also alleges that the city and its agents failed to provide adequate security measures to protect the public during the New Year’s Eve celebration, despite being aware of the potential risks and threats posed by large crowds and intoxicated individuals.
The security guard’s lawyers contend that the city’s negligence contributed to the attack and that city officials had a duty to protect the public and prevent harm.
An investigation into the incident was conducted by the New Orleans Police Department, and a suspect was charged with multiple counts of second-degree vehicular negligent injury and reckless operation of a vehicle. The individual who allegedly stole the vehicle is still at large.