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MADISON - ST. CLAIR RECORD

Friday, March 29, 2024

Woman falls at Ponderosa, files suit

A woman is suing the owner of a large steakhouse chain over injuries she says she received after falling on the restaurant's sidewalk.

Dorothy Baker filed suit April 3 in Madison County Circuit Court against ABI Enterprises, a company that owns Ponderosa Steakhouse.

Baker says she was walking on a sidewalk outside the restaurant on April 14, 2008. The sidewalk formed a horseshoe around the building, with bushes at one end and a steep drop off at the other.

There was no warning sign to caution customers of the steep drop-off at the end of the sidewalk, according to the complaint.

"Plaintiff was walking on said sidewalk, when she was caused to, and did fall with great force and violence on said drop off, thereby greatly injuring herself," the suit states.

Because of her fall, Baker says she fractured her right shoulder, which required surgery, suffered great physical pain and mental anguish and incurred hospital expenses. She also has been unable to perform her usual duties, has endured disability and loss of a normal life and suffered disfigurement.

ABI Enterprises was at fault because it designed the sidewalk, failed to paint or warn its customers of the sudden drop-off, failed to place a rail on the short riser drop-off, failed to have proper lighting to warn customers of the drop-off and failed to repair the sidewalk, according to the complaint.

Baker is seeking a judgment in excess of $50,000, plus costs.

Michael P. Glisson of Williamson, Webster, Falb and Glisson in Alton will be representing her.

Madison County Circuit Court case number: 09-L-343.

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