Ice patch slip and fall leads to suit against property management company

A Belleville man is suing the owner and manager of his apartment complex after he allegedly slipped on an ice-covered sidewalk.

Donald R. Richardson filed the lawsuit Dec. 2 in St. Clair County Circuit Court against State Realty Property Management Company and Roger Zandeveer.

In January 2010, Richardson says he was living in a North 27th Street apartment building owned by Zandeveer and managed by State Realty Property Management. Richardson says he was walking down a sidewalk in front of the complex to get his mail when he slipped on an ice patch.

Richardson says water flowing from a downspout on one the apartment buildings had been allowed to collect on the sidewalk and then ice over. He says he slipped on the ice patch and fell, hurting his left arm and shoulder. Richardson says his injuries required extensive and costly medical treatment

Richardson accuses Zandeveer and the management company of negligence for allegedly allowing the sidewalk to become unsafe to pedestrians. He is asking for more than $100,000 in damages for medical expenses and court fees.

Attorney Chet A. Kelly, of Belleville's Williams, Caponi & Foley law firm, is representing Richardson.

St. Clair County Circuit Court Case No. 11-L-657.