CHARLESTON – A Kanawha County woman says she was shocked while visiting the Mardi Gras Casino & Resort, but it unfortunately wasn’t because she hit the jackpot.
Carolyn Louk says she received an electric shock while playing video poker machine at the casino when an electrical surge went through her body, knocking her away from the machine and out of her chair onto the ground.
Louk filed her complaint in Kanawha Circuit Court against Cross Lanes Gaming & Entertainment, doing business as Mardi Gras Casino & Resort.
According to her complaint, Louk was visiting the casino in Cross Lanes on July 17, 2019. She says the casino was undergoing construction work, and workers were actively working on electrical outlets adjacent to where she was playing.
“While plaintiff is using the video poker machine, her hands are placed on the buttons and the frame of the machine,” the complaint states. “Plaintiff then hears a loud frying noise, followed immediately by plaintiff feeling a large electrical surge enter her body.
“The surge was severe enough that plaintiff was knocked away from her machine and out of her chair onto the ground.”
Louk says casino employees immediately approached her and asked about her well-being. She said the employees told her the electrical construction caused her to be shocked.
Before she left the casino, Louk says casino employees tried to get her to sign a waiver of any legal claim against the resort.
Louk says she experienced worsening symptoms for the next several days, including numbness and tingling in her arms and back as well as nerve pain, neck soreness and spinal pain. Five days after the incident, she went to her doctor. X-rays showed she had severe spinal injuries and was referred to a neurosurgeon.
She had to have a spinal fusion, and she also has received extensive physical therapy.
Louk accuses Mardi Gras of negligence and premises liability.
Louk says she has incurred past and future medical expenses and other economic and non-economic damages as well as pain and suffering, impairment of capacity to enjoy life, annoyance, aggravation, inconvenience and mental anguish.
She seeks compensatory damages, pre- and post-judgment interest, attorney fees, court costs and other relief.
Louk is represented by Faun S. Cushman of Pritt & Spano in Charleston. The case has been assigned to Circuit Judge Maryclaire Akers.
Kanawha Circuit Court case number 21-C-605