Loyal Order of Moose named in personal injury suit

A Swansea woman is suing the Loyal Order of Moose, Inc., Belleville/Swansea Lodge 1221 for injuries sustained in slipping on a slick kitchen floor.

Pearl Rusteberg is seeking in excess of $150,000, plus costs, for injuries to her right foot, right toes, right arm and right shoulders.

The accident happened Nov. 4, 2004, while Rusteberg was attending a funeral luncheon at the Moose Lodge located on North Illinois in Swansea.

Moose International also is a defendant in the suit filed Oct. 11 in St. Clair County Circuit Court.

Rusteberg claims the Moose Lodge owed a duty of reasonable care to maintain its premises in a safe and sound condition.

Among other allegations, Rusteberg claims the lodge "negligently created and maintained a tripping hazard or slick surface in a location of the hall or lodge where it knew or should have known that visitors, such as Plaintiff, would be distracted and/or fail to see or remember the existence of the tripping hazard or slick surface."

She claims her injuries have resulted in a permanent loss of range of motion and weakness in her right shoulder and arm.

Rusteberg is represented by William J. Niehoff, Mark S. Schuver and Deanna L. Litzenburg of Mathis, Marifian, Richter & Grandy of Belleville.