Knights Club sued over death resulting from fight

A man died after a blood clot he sustained during a fight traveled to his lungs, according to recently filed court documents.

Nelka L. Stowers filed a lawsuit Nov. 5 in St. Clair County Circuit Court against East St. Louis Knights Club doing business as KC Council 592 and Joseph H. Sinovic.

In her complaint, Nelka Stowers alleges Donald Raymond Stowers was visiting the East St. Louis Knights Club at 5420 Old Collinsville Road in O’Fallon on Nov. 7, 2011. Suddenly, Sinovic attacked Donald Stowers, causing him to sustain multiple injuries, including damaged teeth, a left ankle fracture and deep vein thrombosis of his left leg, which led to a blood clot that migrated to the lungs where it blocked a major artery, according to the complaint. In turn, Donald Stowers died on Nov. 24, 2011, the suit states.

Because of Donald Stowers’s death, Nelka Stowers has been deprived of his companionship and society and has suffered grief, sorrow and mental suffering, the complaint says.

Nelka L. Stowers blames KC Council 592 for causing Donald Stowers’s death, saying it negligently allowed Sinovic to remain on the premises when it knew he was dangerous, failed to eject Sinovic from the premises when it knew he had thrown punches at Donald Stowers, failed to warn Donald Stowers of Sinovic’s propensity to fight with others and failed to provide security for its patrons.

In her complaint, Nelka L. Stowers seeks a judgment of more than $200,000, plus punitive damages and costs.

Staci M. Yandle of The Law Offices of Staci M. Yandle in O’Fallon will be representing her.

St. Clair County Circuit Court case number: 13-L-561.