Wood River bar sued by customer claiming attack by intoxicated man

A man claims he was injured outside a Wood River bar after another intoxicated man attacked him.

Dustin Suttles attacked Jessie Tatum after being served alcohol at Rumor Bar and Grill on Jan. 27, 2008, according to the complaint filed Jan. 26 in Madison County Circuit Court.

Because of the attack, Tatum was made sick, sore, lame and disordered, suffered a loss of earning capacity and experienced pain and suffering, the suit states.

Tatum, who was also a patron of the bar at the time of the attack, claims he also spent large sums of money to cure himself, suffered disability and disfigurement and sustained property damage.

Gary R. Layton Jr., Rumor Bar and Grill and A & G Front Street, all owners and operators of the bar, were negligent by failing to properly control the conduct of a patron, by allowing an unknown patron to leave the bar in a violent and abusive manner and by failing to warn Tatum of Suttles' violent and abusive behavior, according to the complaint.

In the four-count suit, Tatum is seeking a judgment in excess of $200,000, plus costs of the suit and other relief the court deems just.

Lon D. Weaver of the Law Office of Lon D. Weaver in Bethalto will be representing him.

Madison County Circuit Court case number: 09-L-0051.