BELLEVILLE — A painter is suing homeowners, claiming they were negligent for creating an unsafe work situation while she was working in their home.
Melissa Graham filed a complaint last month in St. Clair County Circuit Court against Michael ad Tracy Douglas, alleging they failed in to act with reasonable care for the safety of others invited to their property.
According to the complaint, the plaintiff alleges that on March 8, 2013, he was contracted to do painting work at the defendants' property on Brookmeadow Drive to paint inside his house.
Michael Douglas allegedly provided all materials needed and directed and supervised plaintiff's activities in painting his home.
However, while climbing up a ladder in order to paint the higher areas within the house, plaintiff alleges the scaffold/ladder mechanism shifted and/or collapsed, causing her to fall to the floor with great force.
As a result, Graham claims she suffered physical injuries, loss of income and medical bills.
The plaintiff alleges the defendants failed to provide reasonably safe materials and tools needed for the task, failed to provide the plaintiff with fall protection, failed to properly direct and supervise the plaintiff while she was on the ladder and failed to properly maintain the ladder and scaffolding in a safe and proper condition.
The plaintiff requests a trial by jury and seeks judgment for an amount in excess of $50,000 together with costs of the action and any other further relief to which the court deems just and proper.
She is represented by Maria Gust Kanney of Nessler and Associates Ltd in Springfield.
St. Clair County Circuit Court case number 17-L-101