O'Fallon shopping center sued for woman's icy slip and fall

A Belleville woman has filed suit against the owner of an O'Fallon shopping center, alleging she was permanently injured after she slipped on ice outside the center.

Jennifer Swartz claims she was walking in the parking lot outside the shopping area located at 210 Hartman Lane in O'Fallon on Dec. 19, 2007, when she fell "on the ice coated parking area," according to the complaint filed Nov. 17 in St. Clair County Circuit Court.

Because of her fall, Swartz claims she suffered intense physical and mental pain and agony, incurred medical expenses and was hindered and prevented from attending to her daily work and affairs, the suit states.

She claims the H.W. Investment Group, owner of the property, was negligent because it failed to remove accumulated snow and ice, failed to warn customers of the dangerous condition and plowed the parking lot so it formed an unnatural accumulation of ice and snow in an area used by consumers.

The owner also negligently permitted the public to use the parking area when it should have known of the icy condition, according to the complaint.

Swartz is seeking a judgment in excess of $50,000, plus costs and other relief the court deems just.

Larry O. Brockman of Swansea will be representing Swartz.

St. Clair County Circuit Court case number: 08-L-589.