Trampoline owner sued over visiting girl's leg injury

An Alton woman has filed suit against an Alton man individually and on behalf of her minor daughter, alleging her daughter's leg was injured after playing on a trampoline at the man's house.

Alyssa Gardner was unsupervised and playing with other minor children on a trampoline in the backyard of Sammy Hill's home at 11 Avon Place on Sept. 12 when she got injured, according to the complaint her mother, Geniese Smith, filed Dec. 3 in Madison County Circuit Court.

In addition to her injury, Gardner was made sick, sore, lame and disordered, incurred medical costs and experienced pain and suffering, the suit states.

She also suffered disability and disfigurement, Smith claims.

Smith became responsible for Gardner's medical costs, according to the complaint.

Hill breached his duty to supervise and protect Gardner from harm because he failed to supervise Gardner, failed to keep the trampoline away from unsupervised children, failed to provide a protective covering for the trampoline and left minor children alone in the rear of his house, the suit states.

In the three-count suit, Smith is seeking a judgment in excess of $100,000, plus costs and other relief the court deems just.

She is represented by Roy C. Dripps of The Lakin Law Firm in Wood River.

Madison County Circuit Court case number: 08-L-1138.