BELLEVILLE — A Granite City tenant alleges the owner of his rental apartment was negligent for not repairing a dilapidated stair that caused the plaintiff to fall.
According to Madison County Circuit Court documents filed Sept. 25, William Valenzuela accuses defendant Donald Holmes of negligence in failing "to keep the property in good repair for his tenant."
The suit alleges on Oct. 3, 2017, Valenzuela was coming down stairs of the rental property at 2304 Rear Hodges when he fell on stairs that collapsed due to negligent repair. Valenzuela said he suffered injuries to his knee and other parts of his body. According to the suit, using the stairs was the only way Valenzuela could reach his apartment and that Holmes failed to inspect the stairs or warn the plaintiff that the stairs were in danger of breaking.
Valenzuela also argues Holmes breached his duty to keep the rental property "in good repair." He seeks more than $50,000 in damages and court costs. He is represented by attorney Ronald Roth of Roth Law Offices LLC in Granite City.
Madison County Circuit Court case number 19-L-1361.