Plowing company denies allegations in woman’s icy slip and fall lawsuit

A plowing company accused of failing to properly clear black ice has denied liability in a woman’s slip and fall case.

Plaintiff Rhonda Mense claims she was exiting her vehicle at the Memorial Hospital parking lot in Belleville on March 26, 2013, when she slipped and fell on black ice.

As a result of her fall, Mense allegedly fractured her right ankle, incurred medical costs, experienced pain and suffering and endured disability and disfigurement, the suit states.

Mense names Hank’s Excavating and Landscaping of Belleville as a defendant, saying it failed to properly clear snow and ice, stacked snow in an area where it knew the snow would melt and failed to properly salt the area.

Hank’s Excavating answered the complaint on Sept. 19, denying the allegations against it and arguing that the plaintiff’s alleged injuries were caused by her “own failure to exercise ordinary care to keep a proper lookout for conditions which may have posed a hazard to her.”

Mense seeks a judgment of more than $50,000, plus costs.

Circuit Judge Vincent Lopinot scheduled a case management conference for April 13 at 9 a.m.

Jim Mendillo of Freeark, Harvey and Mendillo in Belleville represents Mense.

Mark R. Osland of Law Office of Stephen H. Larson in St. Louis represents the defendant.

St. Clair County Circuit Court case number 14-L-598