ESPN, Aspen hotel face suit

A man from Brazil is suing the ESPN sports network and the Inn at Aspen hotel over an accident that allegedly occurred two years ago.

Paulo Iervolino, of Tatuape, Sao Paulo, claims that he was injured because the hotel allowed ESPN Productions Inc. to place plastic liner over the carpet covering part of the hotel’s common area. When Iervolino, who was a hotel guest, left the swimming pool and reentered the building, he slipped on the plastic liner, and damaged his knee, according to the suit.

Glenwood Springs attorney Bill Schubert of Hess & Schubert LLP filed the lawsuit on behalf of Iervolino last week in Pitkin County District Court.

The defendants are listed as ESPN Productions Inc. and the Inn at Aspen Condominium Association. No one with the network or the hotel could be reached for comment on Tuesday.

The incident allegedly occurred on Jan. 16, 2012, less than two weeks before the start of the Winter X Games that year.

“The liner covered a carpeted surface on which Plaintiff would not have slipped without the presence of the plastic liner,” the lawsuit says. “The defendants made no effort to warn Plaintiff or any other person of the danger posed by the slick, plastic surface.”

As a result of the fall, Iervolino was required to have knee surgery and incurred extensive medical bills. He also sustained lost earnings, pain, suffering, mental anguish and disfigurement, the suit states.

“The defendants reasonably should have foreseen that the placement of the plastic liner, rather than an appropriate safety mat, created an unreasonable risk of harm,” the suit adds.

The suit seeks monetary damages and compensation for legal costs.