Chapman to preside over Ruth slip and fall trial Tuesday

Madison County Associate Judge Thomas Chapman will preside over the trial of a 2006 slip and fall suit on Tuesday.

The case is assigned to Madison County Circuit Judge Dennis Ruth. However, Ruth is slated to handle a 2003 trial the same day.

Although trials typically begin on Mondays, the Madison County courthouse is closed for Martin Luther King Day on Jan. 18.

Plaintiff Lloyd Taylor is suing James Green Management Inc., RMS Inc. and Residential Marketing Systems Inc. for allegedly failing to clear ice and snow from the parking lot areas of his Bethalto apartment building in February 2004.

Taylor alleges he slipped and fell due to the conditions of the lot, suffering injuries to his right shoulder and arm. These injuries then resulted in medical bills.

He is suing for damages of $50,000 and costs.

The defendants had moved to dismiss all of Taylor's amended complaints unsuccessfully.

The trial is set to begin at 9 a.m. on Jan. 19.

Taylor is represented by J. Robert Edmonds of Alton.

James Green and Residential Marketing are represented by John McMullin of St. Louis. The defendants had previously been represented by Steven Aster.

There is no attorney listed for RMS.

The case is Madison case number 06-L-107.