Quantcast

MADISON - ST. CLAIR RECORD

Friday, March 29, 2024

Alton man sues school district, alleging negligence in sinkhole accident

An Alton man is suing a municipality and school district alleging the school failed to repair a damaged storm sewer that eventually caused a sink hole and flooding on his property.

Robert Blanton filed a lawsuit on July 30 in Madison County Circuit Court against the city of Alton and Alton Community School District No. 11, alleging negligence.

According to the complaint, Blanton lived in a house adjacent to Alton Middle School, located at 2200 College Ave. in Alton. The suit says a damaged storm sewer that runs, in part, from the school to his home caused a sinkhole in spring 2012. He claims that several times after the damaged sewer was discovered, more flooding took place on the plaintiff's property, without any action taken by the defendant to repair the storm sewer.

On Aug. 7, 2014, the lawsuit states flooding completely destroyed the Blanton property.

The plaintiff accuses the defendants of negligence, nuisance, trespass and inverse condemnation.

Blanton seeks a jury trial, damages of $228,000, court costs and attorney fees. He is represented by attorneys Brian E. McGovern and Genavieve M. Fikes of McCarthy, Leonard, Kaemmerer in Town & Country.

Madison County Circuit Court case number 15-L-969.

ORGANIZATIONS IN THIS STORY

More News