Bell Township bar sued by woman who claimed injuries caused by drunken fall from stool

Rich Cholodofsky, Tribune-Review, Greensburg, Pa.
·2 min read

Feb. 2—A Bell Township bar was sued this week by a woman who claimed she was left a quadriplegic when she was served too much alcohol and fell off a stool.

According to the lawsuit, Mary Jo Jordan, 55, of Avonmore contends her injuries two years ago were caused by negligence of the staff at the Lone Star Inn on Perrysville Road when she was continuously served vodka and beer despite being visibly intoxicated.

"As a result of being served alcoholic beverages by the defendants after she was visibly intoxicated, the plaintiff was caused to fall from a bar stool causing her to suffer serious injuries and damages," according to the lawsuit filed in Westmoreland County.

Jordan contends she suffered spinal injuries, a concussion and other ailments related to her fall and later suffered from pneumonia, adjustment disorder and depression.

A woman who identified herself on Wednesday as a manager at the Lone Star Inn declined to comment on the lawsuit's allegations.

"We're not talking about this," she said.

Jordan is seeking an unspecified amount in damages for pain and suffering and loss of future earnings.

Her attorney, Richard Galloway, declined to discuss specifics of the case but said it is not unusual for bars to be sued by patrons who claimed to be over-served alcohol.

"Pennsylvania bars, because of the dangerous product they sell, have a duty to shut someone off if they are visibly intoxicated," Galloway said. "If they don't do that, they are responsible for whatever the consequences are, whether they hurt themselves or someone else."

Jordan's lawsuit is not the first filed recently in Westmoreland County from a bar patron who claimed injuries after a fall from a stool at a local tavern.

In 2017, David A. Waugaman sued the owners of Ziggy's Hotel in Youngwood, claiming he was injured when he fell from a bar stool after being served alcohol while drunk. In that case, Waugaman of Hempfield claimed he suffered a shoulder injury, lost consciousness, suffered acute alcohol poisoning and developed post-traumatic anxiety as a result of his fall.

According to court records, Waugaman's lawsuit was settled and discontinued in 2018.

Rich Cholodofsky is a Tribune-Review staff writer. You can contact Rich by email at rcholodofsky@triblive.com or via Twitter .