Couple sues Quest Diagnostics over woman's trip on cardboard box

A St. Clair County couple has filed suit against Quest Diagnostics of Fairview Heights over injuries sustained during a trip and fall incident.

Ellen Clark claims she was visiting defendant Quest Diagnostics Clinical Laboratories located at 317 Salem Place on Aug. 19, 2009, when the incident occurred.

"The Plaintiff, Ellen Clark, was caused to slip and fall in the hallway on a cardboard box as she was walking inside the premises of Quest Diagnostics Clinical Laboratories," the suit filed Feb. 16 in St. Clair County Circuit Court states.

Because of her fall, Ellen Clark sustained serious injuries to her right arm, right leg, knees, left hip, buttocks, back, neck and head and incurred medical costs, according to the complaint. In addition, she sustained great pain and mental anguish, suffered disability, lost her normal life and missed numerous working days, the complaint says.

Vincent Clark, Ellen Clark's husband, claims he incurred medical costs because of his wife's fall.

The Clarks blame Quest Diagnostics for Ellen Clark's fall, saying it negligently failed to properly inspect the premises, failed to properly operate its premises, allowed an empty cardboard box to remain on the floor and failed to warn Ellen Clark of the dangerous condition.

In their four-count complaint, the Clarks are seeking a judgment of more than $100,000, plus costs and the payment of all medical bills that the couple is liable for.

Steven E. Katzman of Katzman and Associates in Belleville will be representing them.

St. Clair County Circuit Court case number: 11-L-78.