Mother sues school after son falls off hammock

The mother of a minor boy has filed suit against the school where she claims a hammock broke while her son was using it, causing him to sustain injuries.

Dona Walker claims her son, Douglas Walker III, was utilizing a hammock at defendant Belleville Area Special Services Cooperative on March 29, 2012, when a rope on the hammock broke, allowing Douglas Walker III to fall to the floor.

Because of the incident, Douglas Walker III experienced pain and suffering, endured disability and disfigurement and incurred medical costs, according to the complaint filed March 12 in St. Clair County Circuit Court. He also has lost his normal life, faces an increased risk of future injury and incurred medical costs, the suit states.

Dona Walker blames the school for causing her son’s injuries, saying it negligently failed to maintain its equipment in proper working order, failed to inspect its equipment to make sure it was safe and allowed Douglas Walker III to use defective equipment.

In her two-count complaint, Dona Walker is seeking a judgment of more than $50,000 and punitive damages of more than $50,000, plus costs.

Daniel K. Juncker of Belleville will be representing her.

St. Clair County Circuit Court case number: 13-L-134.