A man has filed suit against the city of Collinsville and Illinois Power after he claims he fell in a hole Illinois Power had drilled in the middle of a sidewalk.
Edward M. Hart claims he was walking on a sidewalk outside of 225 South Morrison Avenue in Collinsville on Dec. 17, 2010, when he fell in a hole drilled in the middle of it.
Because of his fall, Hart sustained injuries to his left hand, neck, back and hip; suffered severe bodily and mental pain; and incurred medical costs, according to the complaint filed Dec. 16 in Madison County Circuit Court.
He blames the city for causing his fall, saying it allowed the hole to be drilled to provide services to Collinsville residents. In addition, Hart names Illinois Power as a defendant, saying it drilled the hole to provide natural gas services, but failed to barricade or cover it.
In his two-count complaint, Hart is seeking a judgment of more than $100,000, plus costs.
Frank J. Niesen of St. Louis will be representing him.
Madison County Circuit Court case number: 11-L-1402.
Collinsville and Ameren sued by man who falls in sidewalk hole
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