In the suit, Sondra Roach, an alumna of the school, contends that the Romney institution is not compliant with the American with Disabilities Act because the flight of stairs did not have a handrail.

According to the suit, Roach and her friend Barbara Haines were walking up a flight of stairs to Seaton Hall during an alumni class reunion on June 5, 2004.

The suit maintains that Haines, who is sight-impaired as well as deaf, lost her balance on the stairs and reached for a handrail. Because there was none, she instead grabbed Roach, and the pair fell backward, the suit states.

Roach, who is deaf, broke her leg in four places, including compound fractures, the suit alleges.

“At the present date, Sondra remains in constant pain and cannot walk properly,” and a metal object was placed in her leg, the suit reads.

Roach is seeking undisclosed compensatory and punitive damages.

Source: http://sundaygazettemail.com/section/News/Other%20News/2006060525