Shopper claims ruts in Home-Brite's plant display area led to injuries

A shopper claims she suffered severe and permanent injuries after falling in the gardening section of a Home-Brite Company d/b/a Ace Hardware store.

Hali Batton filed a lawsuit on Aug. 8 in St. Clair County Circuit Court alleging Home-Brite was in violation of the Illinois Premises Liability Act, as its walkways were unsafe for customers.

Batton claims she was shopping in Home-Brite’s plant display area, which was open to the public. She claims the defendant was aware that shoppers would be in the area but failed to provide safe walkway surfaces or warn of the dangers.

The paved area contained large ruts and holes causing shopping carts, which were inadequate to handle the terrain, to come to an abrupt halt and injure shoppers, the suit states.

As a result, Batton claims she sustained injuries to her leg, foot and right shoulder, mental anguish and a loss of normal life.

In her two-count complaint, Batton seeks in excess of $50,000, plus costs and other relief the court deems just.

Brian M. Wendler of Wendler Law, P.C. in Edwardsville will be representing her.

St. Clair County Circuit Court case number 13-L-416