Md. man files suit after fall at Charles Town Races

CHARLES TOWN -- A Maryland man is suing PNGI Charles Town Gaming after he was injured when he fell from a chair.

PNGI Charles Town Gaming is doing business as Hollywood Casino at Charles Town Races.

On Nov. 19, 2009, Michael Onheiser was a patron at the Hollywood Casino, where he was playing the slot machines, according to a complaint filed Nov. 10 in Jefferson Circuit Court.

Onheiser claims he was seated in a chair situated adjacent to the row of slot machines and it was the type of chair that is attached to a rack assembly and the floor of the casino.

The chair was designed to be fixed and immovable so that a patron could sit safely without risk of a fall, according to the suit.

Onheiser claims the defendant negligently installed, inspected and maintained the chair, which caused the chair to be unattached to the floor and chair rack that accompanied the chair.

The condition of the chair and the risk of fall were unknown to Onheiser, according to the suit.

Onheiser is seeking compensatory damages with pre- and post-judgment interest. He is being represented by Joseph R. Ferretti.

Jefferson Circuit Court case number: 11-C-428