BELLEVILLE - An alleged all from a ladder at a private residence has prompted a lawsuit claiming negligence and premises liability.
Edward K. Million claims the defendant in the case walked away from a ladder she was allegedly meant to be steadying while he was retrieving storage tubs from the rafter of a detached in Columbia.
Million filed suit against Oct. 31 in St. Clair County Circuit Court against Cynthia Hood in connection with the purported Nov. 13 incident at the house on Old State Route 3. The Record was unable to make contact with the defendant ahead of publication.
The plaintiff, who is seeking more than $50,000 in damages, claims the defendant was negligent for walking away from the ladder, and is liable for allegedly creating a dangerous situation at her home.
In his complaint, Million states he was "lawfully on the premises" and was asked to help retrieve the "large storage tubs." He climbed a ladder, which the defendant was allegedly steadying.
"Without warning, defendant let go of, and walked away from, the ladder," the complaint states. "At that time, plaintiff fell from the ladder, and suffered serious injury."
The defendant, it is claimed, is therefore guilty of negligence for failing to steady the ladder, failing to warn, allowing it to be placed on a sloped surface, and not warning it was such.
Million claims he suffered serious personal injuries and "will be hindered and prevented from attending to his usual and customary affairs, duties and occupation, and has lost, and will continue to lose, wages." Further, he was suffered pain and anguish, and has spent on large sums on medical care and services, it is alleged.
On the premises liability count, the plaintiff claims the defendant "created a dangerous condition" by failing to steady the ladder, and delivered no warning.
Million is represented by Anthony P. Gilbreth of Crowder & Scoggins in Columbia.
St. Clair County Court case number 2019-L-0757.