Trial over toddler's treadmill injuries postponed due to scheduling conflicts

A negligence trial involving a toddler who was injured on a treadmill has been continued due to attorneys' scheduling conflicts.

Kathleen Neal's negligence suit against defendants Sherryl and Jerry Harrington Jr. had been set for trial on July 13 in Madison County Circuit Judge Barbara Crowder's court.

Neal claims her son, Connor Neal, turned on an electric treadmill while at the Harringtons' Granite City home. The incident occurred March 3, 2006.

Neal alleges that the couple knew that children played in their basement area where the treadmill was located and failed to warn Connor, who was four-and-a-half years old at the time, about its dangers.

She contends her son suffered burns, lacerations and other injuries when he turned the machine on and it pinned him to a wall.

Her suit argues that Connor Neal suffered pain, anguish and permanent injury as a result of the accident and she as his mother incurred and will incur medical bills.

Kathleen Neal is suing the Harringtons on four counts of negligence and family expenses. She asks for $50,000 per count and costs.

The May 15 motion cites attorneys' scheduling conflicts for rethinking the July trial date and the need for further discovery.

Neal and her son are represented by Kenneth Beljanski. The Harringtons are represented by Martin Morrissey.

A case management conference is set for Aug. 26 at 9 a.m.

The case is Madison case number 08-L-212.