Tenant sues homeowner over fall downstairs

A St. Clair County woman has filed suit against the owner of the single family home she was renting when she fell down a flight of stairs.

Penny Harvey claims she was attempting to descend the stairs from the main floor of her home to her basement when she fell on May 19, 2011.

Because of her fall, Harvey suffered a rotator cuff tear to her right shoulder, according to the complaint filed Oct. 23 in St. Clair County Circuit Court.

Harvey blames her landlord, Terry Bosick, for causing her fall, saying he negligently failed to install a handrail and failed to comply with standard safety codes regarding the placement of handrails.

In her complaint, Harvey is seeking a judgment of more than $50,000, plus costs and other relief the court deems just.

Kenneth A. Leeds of St. Louis will be representing her.

St. Clair County Circuit Court case number: 12-L-564.