University of Georgia student joins lawsuit after New Orleans attack
Elle Eisele and Steele Idelson (Courtesy photo)
NEW ORLEANS, La. - Elle Eisele, a 19-year-old sophomore at the University of Georgia, was critically injured during the New Orleans New Year’s terrorist attack and has joined a lawsuit against the city, its police department, the French Quarter Management District, and two contractors.
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The lawsuit claims the attack could have been prevented if proper safety measures had been implemented, according to Fort Meyeres News-Press.
The backstory:
Eisele suffered life-threatening injuries after being struck by a truck on Bourbon Street around 3:12 a.m. while walking with her friend Steele Idelson and a group of friends. Both Eisele and Idelson sustained multiple blunt force injuries, and tragically, two young men in their group were killed.
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What they're saying:
"The horrific events in the early hours of the new year were the predictable and entirely preventable result of a chain of events initiated by the actions and inactions taken by Defendants," the lawsuit reads.
What's next:
The lawsuit seeks to hold the defendants accountable for negligence and to secure compensation for the victims' injuries and suffering. Attorneys noted that assigning a specific monetary value is difficult due to the immeasurable emotional and physical losses, but experts will help determine both economic and non-economic damages.
This case is one of several lawsuits filed in connection with the New Orleans attack, focusing on alleged security failures and their impact on the 21 plaintiffs. More details are expected to emerge as the case proceeds.
Why you should care:
This case sheds light on the importance of public safety measures in high-traffic areas and the potential consequences when those measures fail. The lawsuit highlights broader concerns about city planning, security protocols, and accountability in preventing such tragic incidents.