EDWARDSVILLE -- A former tenant is suing Mallard Lake Mobile Home Park, alleging injuries on a front porch could have been avoided if proper maintenance had been done.
Pamela Chapman filed suit July 26 in Madison County Circuit Court against Mallard Lake Mobile Home Park and property manager Dawn Wilson, alleging negligence.
According to the complaint, on July 20, 2018, Chapman fell due to the disrepair of the front steps and the deck at the Granite City mobile home park, causing severe injuries to her neck, shoulder and back and leading to medical expenses and loss of a normal life.
Prior to the incident, Chapman and husband, Michael Chapman, said they leased the mobile home at 108 Mallard Drive in the Mallard Lake Mobile Home Park owned and operated by RHP Properties, where they had complained to management personnel numerous times about the unsafe condition of their front porch and front deck.
Though in need of repair, there was no other method of entrance or exit to the front of the Chapman home, the suit alleges.
“Mallard Lake Mobile Home Park management personnel, including Dawn Wilson, were aware of the damage and the danger, but stated to the Chapman’s that repairs could not be made because ‘it is not in the budget,’” said the court filing.
Under the lease, Mallard Lake Mobile Home Park allegedly is required to make necessary repairs to its homes, keeping them in a safe condition. The suit states Michael Chapman removed the broken step after the incident and took it to management personnel for inspection.
“It is assumed that Mallard Lake Mobile Home Part has kept the step and preserved this evidence,” the court document said.
Pamela Chapman seeks more than $50,000 in damages plus costs of suit citing the defendants' negligence in ignoring complaints regarding the unsafe nature of the home’s entrance, failing to perform repairs at an appropriate time to prevent injury and failing to properly budget funds for repairs in order to prevent injury.
“We do not comment on ongoing litigation,” said Glenn Oswald, vice president of Marx Layne & Company on behalf of RHP Properties.
Pamela Chapman is represented by attorney Ronald A. Roth of Roth Law Offices in Granite City.
Madison County Circuit Court Case number 19-L-1048