AutoZone alleges a customer caused his own injuries when he failed to keep a proper lookout and allegedly tripped on a speed bump in the parking lot.
Christopher R. Sturdivant filed the lawsuit on Aug. 3 against AutoZone Parts Inc.
According to the complaint, Sturdivant claims he tripped on an unmarked and unpainted speed bump in the AutoZone parking lot on July 23, 2014, causing him to fall on the concrete and sustain injuries. He claims he sustained injuries to his leg, knee and foot.
He alleges the defendant failed to warn patrons of the speed bump, which he claims did not have proper markings.
He seeks a judgment of more than $50,000, plus costs of the suit.
AutoZone answered the complaint on Sept. 18 through attorney Beth Kamp Veath of Brown & James in Belleville. The defendant argues that the plaintiff contributed to his own alleged injuries by failing to keep a proper lookout to avoid injury, failing to proceed on the sidewalk as a non-customer and non-invitee on the premises and acting in a negligent manner.
On Nov. 18, Circuit Judge William Mudge scheduled a status conference for Feb. 24 at 9 a.m.
The plaintiff is represented by Keith Short of the Law Offices of Keith Short in Edwardsville.
Madison County Circuit Court case number 15-L-979