A woman who was raped by a man at her place of employment, where he then committed suicide, is seeking compensation from the owner of the premises for her losses.

The lawsuit was filed recently in Kosciusko Superior Court I with the woman and her husband listed as plaintiffs and New Plan Excel Realty Trust Co. as defendant. The names of the plaintiffs are not being published due to the nature of the incident.

The woman was a The Cutting Edge employee when, on Sept. 25, 2000, Michael J. Beavers, 38, of Dearborn, Mich., entered the salon shortly after it opened. The business is in Woodland Plaza on Commerce Drive in Warsaw.

Police said Beavers bound four employees inside the business, sexually assaulted one of them and cut another in an alleged rape attempt.

Afterward, Beavers placed a gun to his head and killed himself. Police classified the crime as a "random act."

According to the lawsuit, the woman in the case "was assaulted, accosted, threatened, terrorized, raped and otherwise endangered and harmed" by Beavers, "who, after his vicious criminal acts, committed suicide" in her presence.

The lawsuit contends that Excel was negligent and careless in the maintenance, control and protection of the business premises and areas adjacent to it, including the parking lot.

As a result of the negligence and carelessness, according to court documents, the woman suffered the injuries and damage in the complaint.

Also, the shock to the woman's nervous system as a result of the acts against her have prevented her from returning to work and she has lost and will lose significant earnings.

An unspecified amount for compensation is being sought in two counts and a jury trial is requested. David C. Kolbe of Warsaw is the attorney for the plaintiffs. [[In-content Ad]]