AMF Bowland Lanes
Crystal Howland claims she suffered serious injuries after tripping on a raised area and falling through a plate glass window at AMF Bowland Lanes on Nameoki Road in Granite City on Sept. 4, 2004.
On April 25, her mother, Lonnette Howland filed suit against the bowling center seeking damages in excess of $100,000, claiming AMF failed to exercise reasonable care in keeping its property in a safe condition and free from potential tripping hazards.
According to the complaint, Crystal fell with "great force and violence" on a raised area of the entrance way.
"The defective condition of the entrance area was in no way open and obvious to Crystal Howland," the complaint alleges.
She claims the entrance condition was one in which AMF knew or should have known existed.
"…At said time and place, it was dark outside and the lighting was poor, rendering the area in question difficult for her to see," the complaint states.
Howland claims AMF negligently failed to exercise reasonable care by not placing a sign, painted stripe, or other means of suitable protection in the area where her daughter fell and where other customers enter and exit the bowling center.
She also claims AMF failed to provide a safer entrance way with railings around the area in question and failed to provide a safer glass product to prevent shattering.
Howland claims Crystal sustained severe and permanent injuries, including injuries to her abdomen and other areas of her body which caused her to suffer great physical pain and mental anguish and left her unable to perform her usual activities.
She also is seeking damages under the Family Expense Act claiming Crystal's injuries caused her to sustain great losses in the form of medical expenses.
Howland is represented by Michael Glisson of Williamson, Webster, Falb and Glisson of Alton.
The case has been assigned to Circuit Judge Andy Matoesian.
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