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MADISON - ST. CLAIR RECORD

Friday, March 29, 2024

Casino Queen guest files $1 million suit after rape

Casino Queen in East St. Louis

A Belleville woman who claims she was raped at the Casino Queen in East St. Louis filed a $1 million lawsuit against the hotel and casion for failing to protect her.

Dawn Kozik claims that on Dec. 15, 2003, she was followed to her hotel room by a male guest and forced inside. The attacker inflicted serious bodily and emotional injuries, the complaint states.

According to Kozik, she informed the casino of the presence of the assailant prior to the attack and requested security and protection.

“Casino Queen and its employees were aware of the menacing presence of the male attacker, as well as Kozik’s request for security and protection, however, despite their knowledge did nothing to intervene in order to prevent the attack and rape,” the complaint states.

Kozik claims that the casino breached its duty to protect her by:

  • Allowing the male assailant to patronize its casino and hotel when it knew, or should have known of his dangerous and violent propensity;

  • Failing to remove the assailant before the attack;

  • Failing to provide adequate security or an adequate number of properly trained security personnel to protect her;

  • Failing to adequately train its employees on how to control and manage violent individuals;

  • Failing to timely summon the police when it knew a violent and menacing individual was present; and

  • Placing her in an unreasonably dangerous position by failing to come to her aid.

    According to the complaint filed in St. Clair County, Kozik suffered multiple injuries including emotional trauma and anxiety, as well as the physical injuries associated with a sexual assault and rape, medical expenses and loss of a normal life.

    Robert Kozik, Dawn's husband, claims he has been caused to suffer the loss of society, consortium, companionship, affection, support and care of his wife.

    The Koziks are each seeking $25,000 in damages plus reasonable attorney fees and pre and post-judgment interest, plus $1 million in punitive damages.

    “The Casino Queen willfully and recklessly placed Kozik in a position of mortal danger with a conscious indifference to the consequences.

    The Koziks are represented by Matthew O’Grady and Douglas Teasdale of Teasdale, Murphy and O’Grady of St. Louis.

    05 L 655 (20th Circuit)

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