Woman sues Ravanelli's over slip on ice; wants more info to add defendants

A Madison County woman has filed suit against six businesses, alleging she was injured after she slipped and fell on ice outside a restaurant.

Brenda Law was leaving Ravanelli's Restaurant in Granite City after eating there on Feb. 15, 2007, when she slipped and fell on an unnatural accumulation of ice and snow in the restaurant's parking lot at about 1 p.m., according to the complaint she filed Feb. 13 in Madison County Circuit Court.

Because of her fall, Law sustained serious and significant injuries to her right wrist, back, neck and head and was forced to incur medical expenses, the suit states.

Law also claims she sustained great pain and mental anguish, disability and loss of a normal life and has missed numerous working days.

Named as defendants in the suit are Ravanelli, Edwards and Bush, Daniels Realty Group, Central Plaza Partners, Fairfax F. Pollnow, Pollnow Investments and Terry Ravanelli.

The companies were negligent by failing to provide a safe entrance and exit for people eating at Ravanelli's, by leaving an unnatural accumulation of ice and snow in the parking lot, by failing to warn Law of the ice and snow and by failing to supervise the proper removal of ice and snow, according to the complaint.

They also negligently created an unnatural accumulation of ice and snow, failed to maintain the parking lot, failed to repair the parking lot and allowed it to have an uneven slope, allowed the parking lot to become deteriorated and to have ruts and other holes, failed to provide adequate parking for the restaurant and attempted to remove the ice and snow from the area in an improper fashion and posing a hazard to patrons using the area, the suit states.

In the 10-count suit, Law is seeking a judgment in excess of $350,000, plus costs.

Law is also asking that the businesses release all information and documents that would provide her information on whom she could add as additional defendants in the suit.

She is represented by Steven E. Katzman of Katzman and Associates in Belleville.

Madison County Circuit Court case number: 09-L-0126.