McDonald's customer claims he was attacked in an ESL restaurant

A St. Clair County man says his nose was broken when he was attacked in the bathroom of an East St. Louis McDonald's.

Lee A. Cole filed a lawsuit July 11 in St. Clair County Circuit Court against McDonald's Corporation, Estel Foods Inc. and James E. Williams Jr.

Cole says he was a customer at the McDonald's restaurant in the 500 block of North 24th Street in July 2011. When he went into the restroom two men allegedly attacked Cole, punched him in the face and tried to rob him. According to the complaint, Cole was taken to the hospital with broken bones around his eye and face and a broken nose.

McDonald's and the franchise owners, Estel Foods and Wiiliams, are accused of negligence for failing to provide a safe environment for their customers.

Cole asks for more than $300,000 in damages for medical expenses and court costs. He is represented by attorney James N. Reames of Wood River.

St. Clair County Circuit Court Case No. 13-L-356