Hearing scheduled in bartender's lawsuit against employer

A bartender’s lawsuit against her employer for causing her to become a quadriplegic after allowing her to drink on the job and then drive home has been set for hearing May 1.

Latisha Wilson filed a lawsuit Oct. 17 in St. Clair County Circuit Court against WCW Entertainment, doing business as Club Rolex.

The hearing, set in Circuit Judge Vincent Lopinot's court, is based on the defendant’s Feb. 19 motion to dismiss.

According to Club Rolex’s motion to dismiss, no alcohol related liability exists.

“Further, said complaint alleges liability for allowing the plaintiff to take control of a motor vehicle while intoxicated," the motion states. "Again, the Dram Shop has pre-empted this field, and a tavern owner has no duty to restrain patrons from driving away regardless of the patron’s intoxication."

Wilson alleges she was working as a bartender for WCW, Oct. 18, 2010, when she drank alcoholic beverages and became very intoxicated, according to the complaint.

She later drove home after her shift, but was involved in a collision on the way, the suit states. Because of the accident, Wilson suffered serious injuries, causing her to become a quadriplegic, and experience pain and suffering, the complaint says.

Wilson is seeking a judgment of more than $50,000.

Michael Gras of the Law Office of Christopher Cueto in Belleville represents Wilson.

Jon Shelton of Shelton & Madrid in St. Louis represents the defense.

St. Clair County Circuit Court case number: 12-L-553.