Bar patron sues for laceration to neck after another slips in bar

Jeffrey Lee Miller filed suit against the owners of Teezer's Bar in Collinsville claiming he received a deep laceration to his head and neck by a patron who allegedly consumed alcoholic beverages.

In a lawsuit filed Feb. 17 in Madison County Circuit Court, Miller claims co-defendant Derek Dougherty became intoxicated after drinking late on the night of Feb. 19, into the early hours of Feb. 20, 2005.

According to the suit, Dougherty struck Miller with a bottle, knife or other sharp instrument. Miller claims Dougherty swung his arms in a negligent and careless fashion disregarding other people at the bar and failed to keep proper footing to avoid contact with other people at the bar.

Miller claims he suffered severe and permanent personal injuries and property damage including medical bills, pain, suffering and disability, lost wages and severe scarring and disfigurement.

He is seeking damages against bar owners, Tina Winfree and Joe Grzywacz, in the amount of $54,907.80 for his personal injury and a like amount for his property damage, plus all costs of the suit.

From Dougherty, Miller is seeking damages in excess of $100,000.

He is represented by Michael Gnavi of Collinsville.

The case will be assigned to the judge who will take over for the retired George Moran.

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