Hospital sued over woman's fall on melted snow

A St. Clair County woman has filed suit against Memorial Hospital, alleging she slipped and fell on melted snow in the hospital's entryway.

Sonja Harris entered Memorial Hospital through a door located between the emergency room and medical office center number 1 on Feb. 14, 2007, when she slipped and fell on the wet floor, according to the complaint filed Jan. 30 in St. Clair County Circuit Court.

Because of the fall, Harris was made sore, lame, disorderly, disabled, experienced pain and suffering and suffered internal and external bodily injuries, the suit states.

She also claims she suffered severe pain and anguish in body and mind, incurred medical expenses and lost wages.

Memorial Hospital was negligent by failing to maintain the floor in a safe condition, by allowing water from a source under its control to remain on the floor, by failing to warn Harris of the danger of melted snow and by failing to install a non-slip surface or runner on the floor, according to the complaint.

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

She is represented by Stephen R. Clark of Courtney, Clark and Associates in Belleville.

St. Clair County Circuit Court case number: 09-L-0055.