Woman Who Got Hit by Parking Barrier Sues Hard Rock Casino Biloxi

A woman who was visiting the Hard Rock Casino Biloxi got hit in the head by a parking barrier, and the victim is now suing the property after she had to undergo neck surgery

According to Plaintiff Lisa Paulk of Pike County, Mississippi, the property did not properly address the risk of collapsing barriers on visitors or their cars. The woman was hit after she tried to enter the VIP lot in January 2024.

Parking Barrier Leads to Lawsuit against Hard Rock Casino Biloxi

She was unable to open the barrier with her own Encore Players Club card, at which point a valet intervened and used another guest’s card to lift the barrier. Paulk was accompanied by her daughter, who was then instructed to drive the car into the lot, while the victim herself walked after her.

At that moment, though, the barrier gave in and hit the victim on the head. The lawsuit, filed over a year after the fact, now cites her neck and back injury as well as continuing emotional distress as the reasons why the case was brought against the property.

The lawsuit related to the situation: “Because the VIP gate would not open, she was forced to exit her car and walk to the valet stand for assistance.” Paul now demands punitive as well as compensatory damages and other relief.

The lawsuit seeks compensation that accounts for anticipated medical costs, future pain and mental anguish, permanent physical impairment, permanent disfigurement, future travel expenses, and other damages.

Property Managers Deny Wrongdoing of Any Sort

Filed by attorney J. Ashley Ogden of Hattiesburg, the lawsuit also notes that the valet was aware of the issue related to the parking barrier, and that it had been malfunctioning for “some time.” The lawsuit naturally alleges that the property failed to secure the barrier and maintain it in a safe condition.

As to the casino, the property has already denied wrongdoing and claimed that Paulk had contributed – or even caused her injuries through negligence. The managers even allege that she was seeking to extract money from the property to address medical bills related to a pre-existing condition.