BELLEVILLE — A handicap woman alleges her wheelchair was not properly restrained while riding in a Metro bus.
Vivian F. Hassenstab and John Hassenstab filed a complaint on April 12 in the St. Clair County Circuit Court against The Bi-State Development Agency of the Missouri-Illinois Metropolitan District, alleging it failed to properly train its agents, employees and drivers.
According to the complaint, the plaintiffs allege that on May 1, 2017, Vivian Hassenstab, a wheelchair passenger was injured when she was thrown to the bus floor after the bus' wheelchair restraint system opened.
She claims she suffered a broken back, injuries to her hand and knee and necessary health and rehabilitation services.
The plaintiffs allege the defendant's agent failed to properly secure her wheelchair prior to moving the bus and negligently drove the bus at a high speed when it was not proper.
The plaintiffs request a trial by jury and seek judgment against the defendant in an amount of more than $50,000, plus costs of this suit.
They are represented by Bruce N. Cook of Cook, Bartholomew, Shevlin & Cook LLP in Belleville.
St. Clair County Circuit Court case number 18-L-257