Lundi Gras Safety Reminders
Posted in Mardi Gras Injury Attorney on February 24, 2020
As the Mardi Gras season draws to a close, two incidents over the weekend–one leading to a tragic death–remind us to exercise caution while we enjoy the last of the revelry. As you take in the final parades and indulge in all the sights, sounds, and tastes of New Orleans before Lent, remember to make safety a priority.
Second Deadly Incident Involving Parade Floats
A second parade-goer has died in a tragic float-related incident during this year’s Mardi Gras celebrations in New Orleans. On the evening of Saturday, February 22, a man became trapped between two sections of a large tandem float, then slid beneath one and was crushed. The incident occurred along Canal Street during the Krewe of Endymion parade. Nearly all of Endymion’s floats are tandem, and the parade boasts the largest float of Mardi Gras, a behemoth with nine sections that is nearly the length of a football field end-to-end.
Witnesses described chaos as first parade-goers, then first responders, attempted to save the victim. Last Wednesday, a woman was killed by a tandem float under similar circumstances during the Mystic Krewe of Nyx parade route. According to Nola.com, it is the second deadly incident involving the three-section tandem float called “Captain S.S. Eddie.” In 2008, the same float struck and killed an Endymion rider.
New Orleans Officials Respond
For the rest of the Mardi Gras season, the city will prohibit tandem parade floats and require each float to have an individual tractor. “I think we have to do our due diligence that this is a safe Carnival for everyone,” explained NOPD Superintendent Shaun Ferguson during a Saturday night press conference.
The announcement left many Mardi Gras krewes scrambling to secure enough tractors for each of their floats with just days, and in some cases, hours, before parade kick-off. Among the largest and most popular parades still to come include the Krewe of Orpheus, tonight on the evening of Lundi Gras, and the Krewe of Zulu and Krewe of Rex parades, which take place back-to-back early in the day on Fat Tuesday.
Two Injured in Fall from Balcony
On Sunday, on St. Charles Avenue along the Uptown parade route, two people were hospitalized after sustaining injuries from a fall. Both victims were in stable condition after, it appears, the railing broke off of the second-story balcony they were standing on causing them to fall. Falls from balconies and parade floats are not uncommon occurrences, despite city efforts to enforce public safety and educate the public around these dangers during the Mardi Gras season.
Have a Safe Mardi Gras in New Orleans
Remember these safety tips to enjoy the remainder of the Mardi Gras season. In particular, keep these in mind:
1- Always exercise caution along parade routes. Don’t ever cross a barricade or in front of a float during a parade. Even as you are grabbing for “throws,” give the floats some room. Those beads or medallions are not worth risking a trip to the hospital or worse.
2- Avoid overcrowded balconies. Not only can railings break off but entire balconies have been known to collapse when too many people push onto them to get a better view of a parade. Many of the houses along Mardi Gras parade routes in New Orleans are very old, may be in disrepair, and have balconies that were not designed for more than a couple of people at a time. Don’t lean on railings, which might not be able to support your weight. And remember, even a fall of just a dozen feet can cause lasting injuries. Trust your gut and avoid situations like overcrowded balconies that seem potentially dangerous. There is still plenty of fun to be had while also playing it safe.
Contact a Skilled Personal Injury Lawyer in New Orleans Today
If you are injured during Mardi Gras in New Orleans, knowing your legal rights and acting to protect them right away are essential. Negligence, liability, and responsibility–all legal concepts that can be complex to begin with–are especially complicated during the chaotic carnival season. Your injuries could be the result of third parties who acted willfully or negligently.
The skilled, experienced personal injury attorneys of the Law Office of John W. Redmann, L.L.C. can help you understand your case and help you decide whether you want to pursue it. We have been helping victims in New Orleans recover money for their injuries for more than 20 years. Turn to us for legal guidance if disaster strikes during Mardi Gras. Schedule a consultation today by calling (504) 500-5000 or use our convenient online contact form.