El Mezcal owners sued for allowing kids to play football in parking lot

A Madison County mother is suing the owners of a Bethalto restaurant after her son allegedly broke his leg playing football in the restaurant's parking lot.

Heather Stevens, individually and on behalf of her minor son, filed the lawsuit Sept. 12 in Madison County Circuit Court against Bethcor Inc. and La Lova.

Stevens says in September 2012 her son was playing football in the parking lot of the El Mezcal Mexican Restaurant in Bethalto when he fell and broke his right leg and ankle. According to the complaint, the owners of the restaurant were aware of customers playing football in their parking lot on a regular basis and did not discourage it. 

Stevens alleges the owners of the parking lot, Bethcor, and the restaurant allowed ruts and pot holes to remain in the surface and failed to light the lot properly.

The defendants are accused of negligence for failing to keep the parking lot in a safe condition. Stevens asks for more than $100,000 in damages for medical expenses, pain and suffering. 

Attorney Gregory L. Shevlin of Belleville represents Stevens and her son.

Madison County Circuit Court case number: 14-L-1252.