Jail food service contractor claims injuries from iron gate

St. Clair County Jail

A food contractor at the St. Clair County Jail filed a personal injury suit against the county claiming an iron gate at the jail closed on her.

Dottye Brazil, an employee of Aramark Correctional Services, alleges she suffered shoulder, hand, chest, back and legs injuries when an electronic gate hurt her on June 4, 2005.

In a suit filed March 4 in St. Clair County Circuit Court, Brazil claims the county, which operates the jail, was negligent by:

Closing the electronic gate on her when employees knew, or should have known that the gate could not be closed with safety because she was in the vicinity at the time the gates were closed;

Carelessly failing to pay proper attention in the operation of the electronic gate;

Failing to provide a safe means of ingress and egress for her in the area she was working and more particularly closed the electronic gate on her when she was working in the area;

Failing to follow proper procedures and protocol in closing the gate; and

Attempting to close the gate without checking mirrors or monitors or visually observing whether it was safe to close the gate.

According to Brazil, her injuries caused great pain and mental anguish, lost wages, and has become liable for medical expenses.

"St. Clair County is vicariously liable to Brazil for the negligent and wrongful conduct of its agents, servants and employees."

Represented by Steven Katzman of Belleville, Brazil is seeking a judgment in excess of $50,000, plus all costs of the suit.

06 L 129 (20th Circuit)

MADISON - ST. CLAIR RECORD

Jail food service contractor claims injuries from iron gate

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