Church visitor sues after speaker falls on her

Francis Y. Williams has filed suit against Disciple Fellowship Christian Church, alleging her left hand was broken after a speaker she was standing near fell.

Williams was visiting the church on July 20 when the incident occurred, according to the complaint filed Dec. 15 in St. Clair County Circuit Court.

In addition to her broken left hand, Williams claims she incurred medical expenses, that the use of her hand is impaired, diminished and made painful and that she is now predisposed to develop premature arthritis in her left hand because of the fall.

Disciple Fellowship Christian Church was negligent by failing to properly secure the speaker and its stand, by inviting Williams to approach the area where the speaker was located, by failing to limit the number of people around the speaker and by failing to warn Williams of the speaker's dangerous condition, according to the complaint.

Williams is seeking a judgment in excess of $50,000, plus costs.

Donna Clark Frayne of the Law Office of John S. Wallach in St. Louis will be representing her.

St. Clair County Circuit Court case number: 08-L-636.