Woman fights suit alleging she struck legally blind man in parking lot

Janice Worstell says the man who was hit by her car in a Highland parking lot failed to alert her of his intention to walk behind her vehicle.

Worstell, the defendant who is being sued by a legally blind man for allegedly hitting him as he walked through a Highland parking lot, responded to the Madison County lawsuit on June 13.

John Longworth filed suit against Worstell March 15, claiming that he was walking through a parking lot in the 2600 block of Eagle Way Drive in Highland in July 2012. He says Worstell backed her 2004 Toyota Camry out of a parking space and hit him. Longworth says he received “severe and permanent” injuries.

Worstell claims Longworth failed to walk in an area or path without determining such area or path was safe for pedestrians. She also claims Longworth failed to keep a careful lookout for vehicles and traffic, and she also claims Longworth walked behind a parked vehicle without determining it was safe to do so.

Longworth asks to be awarded more than $50,000 in damages for medical expenses, disfigurement, pain and suffering.

A case management conference is scheduled for July 24 in Circuit Judge Dennis Ruth’s court.

Attorney Sarah R. Noll with Shay & Associates in Springfield represents Longworth.

Beth C. Boggs and Douglas B. Keane of Boggs, Avellino, Lach & Boggs represents the defense.

Madison County Circuit Court Case No. 13-L-441