BELLEVILLE — A woman alleges she slipped and fell at an Outback Steakhouse restaurant in Swansea and suffered injuries that required surgical repair.
Valarie Betts-Hutchins filed a complaint March 22 in the Twentieth Judicial Circuit for St. Clair County against New Private Restaurant Properties LLC and Outback Steakhouse of Florida LLC, alleging negligence.
According to the plaintiff's complaint, she was at the Outback Steakhouse on North Illinois Street in Swansea on March 30, 2019, which is located on leased property owned by New Private Restaurant Properties. She alleges that while walking out the front door of the restaurant, her left foot slid and caused her to fall. She claims she fell onto the sidewalk and into the mud with her right knee hitting the sidewalk.
The plaintiff claims she suffered injuries to her leg, foot, hip, knee, back and side of her body. She allegedly sought emergency room care, testing, physical therapy and surgical intervention.
Betts-Hutchins alleges the defendants were negligent in failing to keep their property in a safe condition, failing to repair the tile by the entryway and failing to erect handrails or "other safety equipment" for guests.
The plaintiff seeks compensation of more than $50,000 and all other just relief. She is represented by Megan Nolan of Johnson, Johnson & Nolan in Belleville.
St. Clair County Circuit Court case number 21-L-0278