Posted on: March 17, 2026, 07:29h.
Last updated on: March 17, 2026, 07:29h.
- Guest alleges shower door exploded, causing severe cuts across body
- Lawsuit claims casino failed to inspect or maintain glass door
- Incident highlights broader safety concerns around shattering shower doors
A visit to a Mississippi Coast casino hotel turned into a nightmare for a Jackson, Miss., resident after a shower door exploded, spearing her with tiny shards of glass, according to a new lawsuit.
Katherine Ellis was stepping out of the shower in her room at the Hollywood Casino Gulf Coast in Bay St. Louis on the night of Feb. 28 when the glass panel “exploded, or otherwise failed catastrophically,” as she slid it open.
The shattering sent glass fragments outward and into her body, causing injuries across multiple areas, according to the lawsuit reviewed by The Sun Herald, filed last week Hancock County.
Severe Cuts Across Body
Ellis suffered injuries including cuts to her head, face, upper body, thighs and legs. The wounds were severe enough that a companion attempted to control the bleeding with towels before casino staff arrived. Two employees later wrapped her legs with gauze, the lawsuit states.
Ellis was then transported by ambulance to Ochsner Medical Center in Bay St. Louis for treatment, according to the complaint.
She claims that while showering again at the hospital, she removed additional fragments of glass from her hair and from open wounds. Her lawsuit also alleges ongoing medical concerns, including persistent pain and eye irritation that has required evaluation by an ophthalmologist.
Ellis’ attorney, Edward Blackmon Jr. of Canton, filed the suit alleging the casino failed to properly inspect or maintain the shower door. The complaint argues that the condition of the glass created a dangerous environment for guests.
Hollywood Casino Gulf Coast has not yet responded to the lawsuit.
Yes, Shower Doors Can Explode
Cases involving glass shower doors, while relatively uncommon, are not unheard of. Tempered glass is designed to shatter into smaller pieces rather than large, sharp shards, though failures can occur under certain conditions, sometimes without warning.
About 500 people a year are treated in emergency rooms for injuries caused by shattering shower doors, according to consumer safety reports. The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission has logged dozens of complaints involving injuries linked to these failures.
The lawsuit seeks unspecified damages, including compensation for medical bills, pain and suffering, emotional distress and lost income, along with claims of permanent scarring and disfigurement. It also asks for punitive damages if warranted, as well as legal costs.
