Belleville West sued over vendor's fall from stage

Eric Wehrle of Belleville is suing Belleville West High School for injuries he suffered after falling off the school's auditorium stage.

According to a lawsuit filed Aug. 7 in St. Clair County Circuit Court, Wehrle was at the school at around 7:30 p.m. on May 23 to retrieve equipment he had rented.

Wehrle claims that a maintenance employee instructed him to enter the auditorium, which was not lit, "and while walking along side the agent and/or employee of defendant…plaintiff fell off the auditorium stage."

His lawsuit claims the school failed to provide proper lighting inside the auditorium.

Wehrle says he injured his head, neck, right arm and wrist, according to the complaint. He claims he has suffered a disability and has lost wages and an impairment of future earning capacity.

He is represented by Patrick R. Foley of Williams, Caponi, Foley & Eckert of Belleville. Wehrle seeks in excess of $50,000 in damages.