Chattanooga funeral director sues cemetery, says she was injured when headstone fell on her

A Chattanooga funeral home director is suing a cemetery, alleging that a headstone fell on her during a visit in 2018.

Anita Taylor, of Taylor Funeral Home, is asking for $100,000 in damages from Highland Memorial Gardens, which operates a cemetery off Shepherd Road, according to a lawsuit filed June 25 in Hamilton County Circuit Court.

Attorney Joshua Ward, of Massey & Associates PC, wrote that Taylor was at Highland's cemetery on July 1, 2018, when a headstone fell onto her. The suit says Taylor injured her right foot and leg, shared "no fault in causing her injuries" and needs to be compensated for her medical bills. It added Highland has a responsibility to maintain its headstones and warn visitors of any safety hazards.

Highland representatives could not be reached for comment Wednesday afternoon. But from here, it will likely file a response in Circuit Court, and attorneys on both sides will begin exchanging evidence and working toward a settlement, dismissal or trial.

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