A woman attending a wedding rehearsal at the Church of God of Bethalto has filed a personal injury suit, alleging she fell down the church's stairs.
T. Yvonne Geshwender claims she entered the church and fell while attempting to descend stairs located inside the church.
Geshwender alleges the church was negligent by failing to adequately light the interior of the church while people were arriving for services, by covering the steps in a dark, uniform-color carpet, making it difficult to discern individual steps and by failing to provide handrails.
According to Geshwender, the fall caused her to break her wrist, which caused and continues to cause medical expenses and pain and suffering.
Geshwender is seeking a judgment in excess of $10,000, but less than $50,000.
The case is awaiting mandatory arbitration.
08 AR 494
Woman sues church after falling on stairs
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