- Leeanne Casey visited Surfers Paradise Marriott Resort in October 2014
- The Victorian woman was hit by a wayward plant while lying on a sun lounger
- She is now suing the hotel chain for damages because she can no longer work
- The ‘penetrative injury’ has left her with permanent weakness and trauma
Leeanne Casey (pictured) travelled from Victoria to the Gold Coast three years ago in hopes of enjoying a relaxing beachside holiday with her partner – but instead suffered nerve damage when a plant fell on her forearm
A woman who claims to have been speared by a palm frond while relaxing beside a resort pool is suing the hotel for $360,000.
Leeanne Casey travelled from Victoria to the Gold Coast three years ago in hopes of enjoying a relaxing beachside holiday with her partner – but instead suffered nerve damage when a plant fell on her forearm.
The 64-year-old checked into the Surfers Paradise Marriott Resort on October 5, 2014, only to be told her room was not yet ready. Instead staff informed Ms Casey she could sit by the pool and wait.
While sitting on a sun lounger with her eyes closed Ms Casey’s lawyers allege she was hit by a wayward palm frond, which fell from a tree 20 metres above her.
Ms Casey was immediately rushed to Gold Coast University Hospital to be treated, where surgeons later discovered she had suffered left radial nerve trauma, the Courier Mail reports.
While sitting on a sun lounger with her eyes closed Ms Casey’s lawyers allege she was hit by a wayward palm frond, which fell from a tree 20 metres above her (her forearm pictured left)
She claims that her only time away from the hotel throughout the week-long prepaid stay was to get to the hospital and ‘she suffered a penetrating injury that was painful and shocking.’
There was also extensive ‘nerve damage, scarring and aggravation of an existing psychological condition,’ the claim said.
Lawyers for the 64-year-old also stated that Ms Casey has been unable to return to work as an accounts manager because she still suffers weakness in her left arm.
‘I’m a touch typist. This has ruined my career. My arm is still painful, it’s still numb,’ Ms Casey said.
The resort are yet to respond to the accusations.
She claims that her only time away from the hotel throughout the week-long prepaid stay was to get to the hospital and ‘she suffered a penetrating injury that was painful and shocking’ (pictured after the accident)
Lawyers for the 64-year-old also stated that Ms Casey has been unable to return to work as an accounts manager because she still suffers weakness in her left arm (the resort pictured)