The Madison County Firemen’s Association denied liability in an elderly woman’s lawsuit alleging she was injured when she fell through a wooden bench while playing Bingo at the Fireman’s Hall.
Clara Henderson filed a lawsuit on June 1 against Madison County Firemen’s Association and Madison County, Illinois.
According to the complaint, Henderson, 78, claims she was lawfully on the premises of the Firemen’s Hall in Collinsville on June 3, 2014, to play Bingo.
While there, Henderson claims she sat on a wood and iron bench without knowing the wooden slots were weathered, rotten and unfit for use. As a result of the bench’s alleged condition, she claims she fell through the furniture, incurring injuries.
Henderson claims the defendants owed her a non-delegable duty of reasonable care. She further alleges they should have known of the bench’s dangerous condition, should have inspected and maintained the bench and premises, should have warned her of the condition and should have repaired or otherwise remedied the hazardous nature of the furniture.
The plaintiff alleges injuries to her head, neck, elbow, ankle and knee.
Madison County Firemen’s Association denied the allegations in its June 24 answer
Henderson seeks damages in excess of $50,000, plus attorney’s fees and costs.
James Wilke and Steven McMahon of Wilke & Wilke in St. Louis represent Madison County Firemen’s Association. The defendant requests a trial by jury.
Madison County Circuit Court case number 15-L-696