Used car dealership sued by woman who trips on steps

A woman says she incurred medical costs after tripping down two cement steps when she attempted to enter a used car dealership.

Alta Gleason filed a lawsuit Nov. 16 in Madison County Circuit Court against Metro East Auto Mart.

Gleason claims she attempted to enter Metro East's office after looking at vehicles there on May 31, 2008, at about 2 p.m.

"In order to enter the office, a customer such as the Plaintiff must enter a solid door," the suit states. "Immediately after crossing the threshold of the door to enter the office, there exist 2 concrete steps down to the floor of the office. Upon entering the office of the facility, the Plaintiff was caused to fall after crossing the threshold of the door, and encountering the aforesaid concrete steps."

Because of her fall, Gleason suffered pain of her body and mind, incurred medical costs and lost large sums of money, according to the complaint.

Gleason blames Metro East for failing to provide a safe means to enter its property, for failing to warn patrons of a step when entering the office and for failing to prevent customers from entering the office through the doorway.

Gleason is seeking a judgment of more than $50,000, plus costs.

Samuel A. Mormino Jr. of Mormino, Velloff, Edmonds and Snider in Alton will be representing her.

Madison County Circuit Court case number: 09-L-1227.