Steps removed outside portable building caused custodian's injuries, suit says

A custodian at Columbia Middle School is suing S.M. Wilson & Co., a construction company, for injuries he sustained as he exited a portable building.

Orville Preslar claims he fell a significant distance to the ground when, without warning, steps outside the building had been removed while he was inside working on Dec. 27, 2005.

Represented by Mark C. Scroggins of Crowder & Scroggins in Columbia, Preslar is seeking in excess of $50,000 in damages for his injuries, lost wages, medical expenses and pain and anguish.

"Defendant removed the steps leading to the entrance of the structure in which plaintiff was wokring after plaintiff entered said structure," states the complaint filed Dec. 26 in St. Clair County Circuit Court.

According to the complaint, S.M. Wilson & Co. had a duty to exercise ordinary care and caution performing its activities on the premises to prevent injury to others.