Changes in parking lot elevation cause woman's broken ankle, suit claims

A woman claims she sustained a broken ankle after she attempted to exit her car and fell on uneven ground.

Joan Bilyeu filed a lawsuit Feb. 18 against Vista Contractors and Loellke Plumbing.

Bilyeu claims she parked her vehicle at 208 State Street in Alton on June 24. As Bilyeu stepped out of her car, she fell because of several changes in elevation to the concrete in the area, according to the complaint.

Bilyeu claims Loellke Plumbing caused the changes in elevation because it saw cut a large area of concrete away from a water line Vista Contractors had hired it to work on. In performing its work, Loellke failed to repair the concrete after it created a dangerous condition, failed to ensure the property was safe before the project's conclusion and failed to warn her of the parking lot's condition by placing barricades around the area, the suit states.

As a result of her fall, Bilyeu fractured her ankle in three places, requiring surgery with a plate and seven screws; suffered great physical pain and mental anguish; incurred medical costs; and became unable to perform her usual activities, the complaint says.

In her two-count complaint, Bilyeu seeks a judgment of more than $100,000, plus costs.

Michael P. Glisson of Williamson, Webster, Falb and Glisson in Alton will be representing her.

Madison County Circuit Court case number:10-L-181.