UMB and landscaper sued over customer's slip on snow and ice

Darrell Brown has filed suit against a Caseyville bank and a landscaping company, alleging he was injured after he slipped and fell on snow and ice accumulated outside the bank.

Brown was walking through the parking lot of UMB Financial Corporation on Feb. 15, 2007, when he slipped and fell "on an unnatural accumulation of snow and ice that had been piled around the bank's sidewalk," according to the complaint filed Feb. 6 in St. Clair County Circuit Court.

UMB hired Stinchfield Lawn and Landscaping to remove the snow and ice from its premises, the suit states.

Because of Brown's fall, he alleges he sustained injuries to his knees, ankles, legs and abdomen and experienced pain and suffering.

He also lost wages, incurred medical expenses and has been prevented from attending to his usual duties and affairs, according to the complaint.

UMB and Stinchfield were negligent by failing to provide a safe a proper means for Brown to enter its premises, by failing to clear snow and ice from its entryways, sidewalks and parking lot, by failing to give warning of slippery conditions, by failing to put down adequate treatment to abate the snow and ice and by failing to provide proper drainage, the suit states.

In addition, Stinchfield negligently failed to clear adequate paths for banking customers and failed to adequately remove the snow and ice, Brown alleges.

In the two-count suit, Brown is seeking a judgment in excess of $100,000, plus costs.

He is represented by Allan L. Napp of Schrempf, Kelly, Napp and Darr of Alton.

St. Clair County Circuit Court case number: 09-L-0071.