Bethalto slip and fall trial settles on second day of deliberations

Although a Madison County jury returned Thursday morning for a second day of deliberations, they went home shortly after as a 2004 slip and fall suit they were deciding settled.

The jury began deliberations at 2:31 p.m. Wednesday. After deliberating for about two hours, presiding judge, Madison County Associate Judge Thomas Chapman, sent them home.

The deliberations resumed at 9:30 a.m. Thursday. However, Chapman announced the settlement shortly after and sent the jury home, according to the case's docket sheet.

Details of the settlement were not available.

Chapman took over the trial from Madison County Circuit Judge Dennis Ruth because Ruth was presiding over a different trial scheduled the same week.

Taylor sued James Green Management Company, RMS, and Residential Marketing Systems for allegedly failing to clear snow and ice from the parking lot of his Bethalto apartment.

Taylor claims he slipped and hurt his right arm and shoulder due to the conditions in 2004.

Taylor's suit sought damages of at least $50,000.

Taylor was represented by J. Robert Edmonds.

The defendants were represented by John McMullin.

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