Matoesian
A case management conference is set in a battery suit against bar owner Gary Lutman and Knockers Bar & Grill.
Meanwhile, Madison County Circuit Judge Andreas Matoesian denied a motion by defendant National Laundry Equipment Corporation to dismiss the suit's claims against it.
Plaintiff Steven Skoklo is seeking $50,000 per claim and costs in his four count suit.
The plaintiff contends that while attending Knockers Bar & Grill in
Collinsville on Oct. 21, 2007, he was hit multiple times after a bar fight erupted.
The case management conference is set Jan. 26 at 9 a.m.
According to his complaint, Skoklo was enjoying his time at the bar when he was hit during a bar fight that occurred that he had not been involved in.
The plaintiff claims he suffered serious injuries as a result of the fight that impaired his normal life.
Skoklo claims that Lutman, the bar's owner, had a duty to keep the premises in safe condition and that numerous fights and incidents had occurred at the bar prior to the night of the plaintiff's injuries.
He claims Lutman did not have proper security at the bar, did not notify the police after Skoklo was injured and failed to warn patrons that dangerous conditions existed.
National Laundry owned the building where the bar was located.
National Laundry is the only defendant to have answered the suit. It denies the claims.
National Laundry moved to dismiss the suit in March 2010.
In its motion to dismiss, the defendant argues that it was not served within a reasonable time frame after the suit's filing.
Matoesian denied the motion Dec. 10, 2010.
Lutman has been involved in several Madison County lawsuits to date.
The most recent actions are a 2009 suit against the village of Maryville, its mayor, police chief and two police officers.
Madison County Chief Judge Ann Callis dismissed that case last year.
Earlier this month, Lutman sued his attorney in the 2009 suit, John Leskera, on claims of legal malpractice.
Leskera has yet to file his answer in the 2011 suit.
That case is assigned to Madison County Circuit Judge Andreas Matoesian.
The Skoklo suit is assigned to Matoesian as well.
Morgan Scroggins represents Skoklo.
Gerald Sims represents National Laundry.
No attorneys are listed for Lutman and Knockers.
The case is Madison case number 09-L-1119.