Wrongful death suit filed in hotel accident

Tuesday, Feb. 23, 1999 | 10 a.m.

Bonnie Horrell, a surviving parent, and Karla Austin, a surviving child of Kim Hogarth, a theatrical stagehand, are seeking unspecified damages in the case.

Hogarth was one of four stagehands from the International Alliance of Theatrical Stagehand Employees who were called to the Rio on Dec. 29, 1997, to move equipment for a special New Year's Eve show at the hotel's carnival-themed parade show.

Hogarth and his partner were moving theatrical lighting gear from the casino floor level to a second level balcony above a stage, using a stage elevator. When the accident occurred, the elevator was moved out of position and Hogarth fell 17 1/2 feet onto the stage elevator platform. The accident was captured on tape by casino surveillance cameras, the suit says.

The suit says it was the second time in five months that someone fell into an opening when the elevator was lowered. An area around the elevator was not equipped with protective railings, the suit says.

The suit names the Rio, hotel builder Marnell Corrao Associates, A-1 Audio Inc. and Farrington Productions, all of Las Vegas, and Dover Elevator Co., Stanton, Del.

The defendants either had no comment or had not seen the suit.