A personal injury suit filed against the city of Collinsville and Illinois Power in Madison County in 2011 over a man's fall in a hole drilled into the middle of a sidewalk has settled.
Edward M. Hart claimed he was walking on a sidewalk outside of 225 South Morrison Avenue in Collinsville on Dec. 17, 2010, when he fell in a hole drilled in the middle of it.
Because of his fall, Hart sustained injuries to his left hand, neck, back and hip; suffered severe bodily and mental pain; and incurred medical costs, according to his complaint.
He blamed the city for causing his fall, saying it allowed the hole to be drilled to provide services to Collinsville residents. In addition, Hart named Illinois Power as a defendant, saying it drilled the hole to provide natural gas services, but failed to barricade or cover it.
Circuit Judge Andreas Matoesian presides over the case. A recent docket entry indicates the case settled Sept. 4.
Matoesian has set a case management conference for Nov. 19.
Hart later added Hank's Excavating & Landscaping, which like other defendants, denied allegations.
Hank's claimed that any damages suffered by Hart were caused by the acts of third parties and it would be entitled to an apportionment of fault between parties.
Hank's was represented by Paul Rauschenback of St. Louis.
Hart was represented by John Leskera of Collinsville.
Madison County Circuit Court case number: 11-L-1402.
Collinsville sidewalk trip and fall case settles
ORGANIZATIONS IN THIS STORY