EDWARDSVILLE - A man is suing the Madison County Sheriff’s Department when an officer tripped and allegedly caused the plaintiff to fall as he was being taken to a mental hospital.
Brent Maher filed a lawsuit on March 14 in the Madison County Circuit Court against the Madison County Sheriff’s Department, alleging negligence and conscious disregard for plaintiff’s safety.
According to the lawsuit, the Madison County Sheriff's Department was summoned to the plaintiffs home for a welfare check on April 29, 2021. After sheriff's deputies spoke with the plaintiff, officers determined the plaintiff was intoxicated and it was in the plaintiffs best interest to be taken to a mental health facility in Granite City for surveillance purposes, the suit states. At that time, plaintiff was handcuffed behind his back. Maher claims one of the officers slipped and fell while walking down a ramp situated off the porch of the plaintiff's residence, causing Maher to be pulled down and fracture his arm.
Maher alleges the defendant was negligent in its care and treatment of the plaintiff exiting plaintiffs residence. He also claims the defendant negligently handcuffed him behind his back when he was not under arrest and had not been physically intimidating.
Maher claims he was caused to suffer a broken left arm, disability, pain and suffering, future pain and suffering, expenditure of money for necessary medical care, treatment and services and future monetary expenses.
The plaintiff seeks an amount in excess of $50,000, plus court costs. He is represented by John H. Hustava of Collinsville.
Madison County Circuit Court case number 22-LA-000320