A Belleville man is suing a residential property owner, claiming he was injured when he attempted to move a washer and dryer that were allegedly not stacked properly.
Ernst Schneider of Belleville filed a lawsuit on June 25 in St. Clair County Circuit Court against Susan Schneider, as trustee of Jeanne Rheinecker, regarding a 2014 incident in her Belleville residence.
According to the filing, on Aug. 20, 2014, Ernst Schneider was assisting the defendant move a stack-style washer and dryer unit out of her condominium unit at 7523 Claymont Court, Apartment 1 in Belleville. The suit states a section of plywood board supporting the appliances was not secured to or set flush with the floor and it was too small for the space it occupied.
The plaintiff claims the defendant failed to warn the plaintiff about the defects in the floor upon which the stacked machines were resting. Ernst Schenider alleges that when he attempted to move the units out of the cubbyhole, the plywood slid out, causing both appliances to fall onto him as a direct and proximate result of the defendant’s negligent acts or omissions.
The lawsuit states the plaintiff incurred a torn arm tendon requiring surgery and resulting in disability, disfigurement, pain, mental anguish and loss of earnings and a normal life.
Ernst Schneider seeks more than $50,000 plus, attorney fees and legal costs. He is represented by attorney Matthew J. Marlen of Belleville.
St. Clair County Circuit Court case number 15-L-371