Physical therapist sues homeowner over trip on broken step

A Madison County physical therapist is suing the owner of an Alton house after a concrete step allegedly broke under her.

Julie A Chartrand filed the lawsuit Feb. 15 against David Russell in Madison County Circuit Court.

According to the complaint, Chartrand was at a home on Brookside Street in February 2010 to provide physical therapy to the elderly woman who was renting the house. The therapist says she was walking down steps on the outside of the house when a large piece of concrete broke free as she stepped on it. Chartrand says she fell and hurt her left foot as a result of the broken concrete.

Chartrand accuses the owner of the house, David Russell, of negligence for failing to properly maintain the steps in order to avoid this situation. She is asking for more than $50,000 in damages for medical expenses, loss of income and court costs.

Attorney John C. Webster of Williamson, Webster, Falb & Glisson law firm in Alton is representing Chartrand.

Madison County Circuit Court Case No. 12-L-213