Woman sues Vandalia Bus Lines claiming ankle injury disrupted college attendance

A woman says she was forced to miss a semester of college after she hurt her ankle while trying to get off a bus in Alton.

Ciera Major filed a lawsuit Oct. 23 in Madison County Circuit Court against Vandalia Bus Lines Inc.

According to the complaint, Major was a passenger on a Vandalia bus in August 2012. When she tried to exit the bus at an Amtrak station in Alton she says she fell and hurt her ankle. Major claims the bus company failed to provide assistance or warn passengers as they got off the bus of the possible dangers. She says she was unable to attend college because of the injury to her ankle and lost a semester of tuition.

Major accuses Vandalia Bus Lines of negligence and asks for more than $50,000 in damages for medical expenses, tuition and court costs.

Attorney Laura A. Cole, of Alton, represents her.

Madison County Circuit Court Case No. 13-L-1781