Smithton home owner sued for injuries by prospective buyer

A woman who was viewing a home for sale in Smithton is suing the property owner and two real estate agencies for injuries she suffered after tripping over plumbing pipes embedded in a concrete floor Oct. 15, 2007.

Fara Patti filed suit against Cheri Nollau of 5629 Stone Villa Dr. in Smithton and real estate agencies Century 21 and Equity Fifty-Five, claiming the area where she tripped was not adequately lighted.

"…Defendant Cheri Nollau…with knowledge that individuals were lawfully examining the property, failed to mark the pipes extending from the flooring so as to warn those individuals of the danger of falling," states the complaint filed July 17 in St. Clair County Circuit Court.

Patti also claims the defendants failed to warn her of obstructions on the floor.

Her husband, Gaetano Patti, also seeks damages in the four-count suit.

Seeking in excess of $200,000 in damages, the Pattis are represented by William L. Berry of William Berry & Associates of Collinsville.