Argosy Casino in Alton seeks to file a third-party complaint against Ronnoco Coffee in a woman’s lawsuit alleging she was burned when she spilled complimentary hot coffee on her hand.
On April 14, Argosy Casino filed a motion to file a third-party complaint against Ronnoco Coffee LLC.
Circuit Judge Dennis Ruth scheduled a motion hearing to address the defendant’s request on April 29 at 9 a.m.
Deborah Stinger filed her suit on May 4 against Alton Casino LLC, doing business as Argosy Casino Alton.
According to the complaint, Argosy Casino customarily provides complimentary beverages to its clientele. Stinger, a customer on the defendant’s premises on Sept. 20, 2013, obtained a complimentary cup of coffee at the beverage station. She claims that when she turned from the beverage area, she spilled the coffee on her hand, allegedly causing severe burns.
Stinger claims the defendant knew or should have known of the coffee’s extreme temperature; and that it failed to exercise ordinary care to properly prepare and maintain the brew’s degree of warmth.
Argosy Casino denies liability, arguing that hot coffee is an “open and obvious condition” and its conduct was “reasonable, prudent and common in the industry and met the commonly accepted industry standards.”
The defendant claims Stinger voluntarily exposed herself to a known risk and any alleged injuries were the result of her own negligence and carelessness.
Stinger is represented by Julia Kerr of Brown & Crouppen in St. Louis.
Argosy Casino is represented by Greg A. Kinney of HeplerBroom in Edwardsville.
Madison County Circuit Court case number 15-L-556