City of Belleville sued over pedestrian's sidewalk injuries

A man has filed suit against the city of Belleville, alleging he sustained injuries after falling on a deteriorating sidewalk.

Ace Fouts claims he had parked his car near the intersection of 501 South Second Street and Monroe Street in Belleville on Oct. 28. The sidewalk near the street was “cracked and buckling,” and when Fouts attempted to step on the curb, it collapsed further, according to the complaint filed July 19 in St. Clair County Circuit Court.

As a result, Fouts was injured and suffered severe injury and pain, lost his enjoyment of life and experienced pain and suffering, the suit states.

The city of Belleville negligently failed to provide a safe way to walk on its sidewalks, failed to warn of a hazardous condition of the sidewalk and failed to exercise reasonable care, the complaint says.

In his complaint, Fouts is seeking a judgment of more than $50,000, plus costs.

Jarrod P. Beasley of The Kuehn Law Firm in Belleville will be representing him.

St. Clair County Circuit Court case number: 13-L-376.