A Jersey County woman has filed suit against Southern Illinois University at Edwardsville after she says she fell while walking on an uneven sidewalk that was undergoing construction.
Kathy Schaffer claims she was attending a conference at Southern Illinois University at Edwardsville on Sept. 28, 2007.
She was leaving the university and was walking on a sidewalk between visitor parking lot B and the side entrance of the Morris University Center when the incident occurred. The sidewalk was undergoing construction when Schaffer slipped and struck the ground, causing injuries to her left side, back, knees and elbows, according to the complaint filed Sept. 28 in St. Clair County Circuit Court.
Because of her fall, Schaffer suffered pain, discomfort and mental anguish, lost her normal life, lost earnings and benefits and experienced an impaired earning capacity, all of which will probably continue into the future, the suit states. In addition, she incurred medical expenses and has been restricted in her usual activities, the complaint says
Southern Illinois University at Edwardsville negligently failed to warn Schaffer of the construction hazards present, failed to cordon off the construction area, allowed the construction hazards to remain, failed to provide adequate lighting to sidewalks and failed to inspect sidewalks for dangers, Schaffer claims.
Schaffer is seeking a judgment of more than $50,000, plus costs.
She will be represented by S. Russell Meyer and Amy M. Meyer of Meyer Law Firm in Alton.
Madison County Circuit Court case number: 09-L-1033.
SIUE sued by woman who trips on sidewalk under construction
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