'Hole-y' church sued over woman's broken leg

A Granite City woman claims she broke her leg in a concealed hole outside a church.

Lois A. Parsons filed a lawsuit Aug. 23 in Madison County Circuit Court against Calvary Baptist Church.

In her complaint, Parsons alleges she visited the Granite City church on Aug. 25, 2009. While walking near the parking lot, Parsons tripped on a hole that had allegedly been concealed by vegetation growing near it, according to the complaint.

Because of her fall, Parsons suffered fractures to her knees, legs and ankle and experienced great bodily pain and anguish, the suit states. In addition, she lost income and incurred medical costs, the complaint says.

Parsons blames the church for causing her fall, saying it negligently failed to inspect its lawn and parking areas, allowed its premises to have dangerous holes, failed to warn Parson of the holes, allowed vegetation to conceal the hole and allowed posts to be removed without filling in the subsequent holes.

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

John T. Papa of Callis, Papa, Hale, Szewczyk and Danzinger in Granite City will be representing her.

Madison County Circuit Court case number: 11-L-839.