Barbara E. Greer v. Continental Gaming Company, et al.

Personal Injury-Gaming-The plaintiff was an employee on a riverboat casino. The plaintiff was fifty-seven years old, when she began working at the casino as a housekeeper. The plaintiff slipped on her first day of work on a puddle of water, and received several fractures of her right kneecap that required surgery. She was released by her doctor to return to work for only light duty on May 12, 1995 and full duty, three months later. In July of the following year, the plaintiff went back to her doctor because of increasing pain in the same knee and was advised by the doctor that a knee replacement would be necessary several years down the road. The plaintiff twisted her right knee at home on her steps and sustained a tear and another fracture of the same injured knee as before; and in June 1997, orthoscopic surgery was performed. This time the plaintiff did not return to work until Fall 1997. The plaintiff specialist testified that her fall the second time was caused by the instability and weakness plaintiff sustained as a result of the first fall on the riverboat and that total knee replacement would be required to enable plaintiff to return to work fully. Plaintiff also claimed that she was unable to perform her normal daily activties and hobbies because of her injury and took painkillers everyday. Based on this, the plaintiff filed an action claiming the Jones Act against the defendant to recover her damages.

The plaintiff was awarded $500,00, plus cost and post-judgment interest.

William J. Gondring, orthopedic surgeon, Kansas City, Missouri; John Ward, Chairman of the Department of Economics, University at Missouri-Kansas City.

unknown

Reversed and remanded with direction of Missouri Court of Appeals, Western District. See 5 S.W.3d 559 (Mo.App. W.D. 1999). Note: The Above date reflects that of the appellate court and not that of the original trial. Reported by jjb.