Fairview-Caseyville fire district sued over man's icy fall

A man claims he fell on ice near a Fairview Heights firehouse, causing him to sustain a broken left leg and ankle.

Harold Ray Terrell filed a lawsuit July 6 in St. Clair County Circuit Court against Fairview Caseyville Township Fire Protection District.

In his complaint, Terrell alleges he was walking on pavement adjoining the firehouse located at 626 Lincoln Highway in Fairview Heights on Jan. 25 when he fell on frozen water that had been discharged from gutters at the firehouse.

In addition to his broken leg and ankle, Terrell incurred medical costs and a diminished ability to work and enjoy his life because of the incident, according to the complaint. He also lost income due to his fall, the suit states.

Terrell blames the Fairview Caseyville Township Fire Protection District for causing his fall, saying it negligently failed to clean and remove ice, failed to place salt on the ice, failed to barricade off the icy condition and failed to warn of the ice on the ground.

In his complaint, Terrell seeks a judgment of more than $50,000, plus costs and other relief the court deems just.

Brian Stokes of The Stokes Law Office in St. Louis will be representing him.

St. Clair County Circuit Court case number: 11-L-349.