Woman hurt during stampede to watch female patrons fight at Belleville bar, suit claims

A woman claims she and her friend were trampled as they stood outside a bar after a fight moved outdoors.

Sheila Cisco filed a lawsuit June 8 in St. Clair County Circuit Court against Dutch Hollow Barn Corporation.

In her complaint, Cisco claims she and a friend were standing outside the Belleville bar on March 13, 2010, when they were trampled by crowds of patrons rushing outside.

Dutch Hollow Barn's customers began the stampede outdoors after two women in the bar began to verbally attack each other. Male patrons attempted to separate the fighting women, but they again began fighting outside in the bar's parking lot, according to the complaint.

"As a result of said actions of the two unknown female patrons, numerous other patrons stormed from the premises to witness the fight between the two unknown female patrons in a fast and disorderly fashion," the suit states.

Because of the stampede, Cisco sustained injuries, disfigurement, pain and suffering and incurred medical costs, the complaint says. In addition, she claims she lost wages.

Cisco blames Dutch Hollow Barn for negligently failing to maintain personnel capable of crowd management control, for allowing the two fighting women to remain on the premises, for failing to properly supervise its employees and for failing to properly train its employees in methods of crowd control, among other negligent acts.

In her complaint, Cisco seeks a judgment of more than $50,000, plus costs.

Larry O. Brockman of Swansea will be representing her.

St. Clair County Circuit Court case number: 11-L-267.