MADISON - ST. CLAIR RECORD

An O'Fallon man says his neck and back were injured after an AmerenIP employee backed into his vehicle in a parking lot.

Curtis Burton filed a lawsuit June 24 in St. Clair County Circuit Court against Gary Saunders Jr. and Amerenip.

Burton claims he was driving north in an AmerenIP parking area at 1050 West Blvd. in Belleville on Dec. 17, 2007, when Saunders hit him.

Because of the accident, Burton suffered disability and disfigurement, physical pain, mental anguish and loss of a normal life, plus lost earnings, according to the complaint. He also incurred medical costs and experienced a diminished earning capacity, the suit states.

Saunders negligently failed to ensure his backing maneuver could safely be made, failed to determine that he could safely back up without interfering with traffic, failed to keep his vehicle under control and failed to keep a proper lookout, according to the complaint.

At the time of the accident, Saunders was working for defendant AmerenIP.

In the two-count suit, Burton is seeking a judgment in excess of $100,000, plus costs.

Matthew J. Marlen of Belleville will be representing him.

St. Clair County Circuit Court case number: 09-L-337.