BELLEVILLE — A guest at a Collinsville party is suing the host after another guest allegedly struck him in the head with a fire poker.
Kevin Smith of Caseyville filed a complaint against host Lilian McCormick on Feb. 7 in the St. Clair County Circuit Court, alleging the defendant failed to reasonably protect the safety of her invited guests in her property.
According to the complaint, the plaintiff said he was an invited guest at the defendant's home on Oct. 10, 2010, when he had a heated discussion with another guest, Chad A. Crank. Crank had allegedly been consuming alcohol for several hours before he repeatedly struck Smith in the head with a fire poker.
As a result, Smith claims he suffered physical and emotional injuries and incurred medical expenses.
The plaintiff alleges McCormick failed to prevent the presence of dangerous individuals on her property, failed to control the guests of her residence and failed to control the amount of alcohol consumed by guests.
The plaintiff requests a trial by jury and seeks judgment for more than $50,000, plus attorney's fees, costs and for any further relief approved by the court.
He is represented by Belleville attorneys Lloyd M. Cueto and Michael Gras.
St. Clair County Circuit Court case number 17-L-61