Party-goer claims injuries in fire poker altercation

A St. Clair County man says he was hurt when he was hit in the arm by a fire poker while at a party in Collinsville.

James McDaniel filed a lawsuit Oct. 7 in St. Clair County Circuit Court against Chad A. Crank, Kevin W. McCormick and Lillian McCormick.

According to the complaint, McDaniel and Crank were both guests of Kevin McCormick at a party he was having at his Caseyville Road home in October 2010. McDaniel says, during the gathering, a fight broke out between Crank and another guest. Crank allegedly began swinging a fire poker during the altercation. McDaniel alleges Crank swung the poker and accidentally hit him, breaking bones in his arm.

McDaniel accuses Crank of battery and negligence. He also accuses Kevin McCormick, the tenant, and Lillian McCormick, the owner of the house, of negligence. McDaniel asks for more than $200,000 in damages for medical expenses, lost wages and court costs.

Attorney Timothy A. Gutknecht of Columbia is representing McDaniel.

St. Clair County Circuit Court Case No. 11-L-569