BELLEVILLE — A man is suing a brewing plant owner, alleging that insufficient measures were taken to prevent injuries in connection with a fall.
Robert E. Hiptas filed a complaint on Oct. 4 in St. Clair County Circuit Court against Excel Bottling Co., alleging that the brewing plant owner negligently failed to mark and provide an accessible restroom.
According to the complaint, the plaintiff alleges that on Dec. 19, 2014, following an Excel employee's instruction that the restroom was at the defendant's office, he entered into a door marked "Office" and stepped into an unlighted, unmarked stairwell and fell.
The plaintiff claims he sustained injuries to his head, arms and body, resulting in pain and suffering, disability and great expenses for medical care and treatment.
The plaintiff holds Excel Bottling Co. responsible because the defendant allegedly failed to adequately light and properly mark or identify the stairwell and failed to lock the stairwell.
The plaintiff requests a trial by jury and seeks compensation for damages in an amount exceeding $50,000, plus costs of this suit. He is represented by William P. Gavin and Catherine E. Gavin of Gavin Law Firm in Belleville.
St. Clair County Circuit Court case number 16-L-528