Apartment tenant sues for tripping over unmarked step

A tenant of a Wood River apartment complex is suing the building's property owner and manager for failing to properly maintain the premises.

Robert Hutchinson claims he tripped over an unmarked low step at 678 Sixth St. in Wood River on March 24, 2006, causing him to fall face forward into the pavement.

Hutchinson is suing Residential Marketing Systems, whose registered agent is Edwardsville personal injury attorney Marck C. Goldenberg, and Granite Properties for damages in excess of $100,000.

According to the suit filed March 20 in Madison County Circuit Court, the defendants allegedly failed to make the premises safe for invitees, failed to warn plaintiff of the existence of the step and failed to properly mark the existence of the step.

"The Defendant knew or by using ordinary care should have known that the condition and location of the step created a dangerous and defective condition," the complaint states.

Hutchinson claims severe and permanent injuries to his teeth, face, right eye and bilateral knees, which caused and will continue to cause him great pain and suffering.

Hutchinson is represented by Peter S. Blasi of Roth Evans in Granite City.