BELLEVILLE – A man has filed a negligence lawsuit against a Belleville property owner, alleging he fell when the outdoor stairs collapsed.
Plaintiff Nigel Benton filed a lawsuit in the St. Clair County Circuit Court against Keaton Investment, LLC, citing negligence.
According to the lawsuit, on July 19, 2022, Benton was on the premises of a rental property owned by the defendant. He claims he was standing on the outdoor stairs when the stairs suddenly collapsed beneath him, causing him to fall and injure himself.
Benton alleges the defendants negligently failed to properly maintain the premises to protect the safety of its visitors and also failed to warn visitors that the stairs were in a state of dangerous disrepair.
The lawsuit states that Benton has suffered severe bodily injuries, which have caused him to experience pain, suffering, and lost wages. He also claims his injuries will impact his ability to earn income and enjoy daily life in the future. Additionally, Benton has incurred medical expenses and will continue to require the services of medical staff to recover, according to the lawsuit.
Benton is seeking damages in excess of $50,000, plus court costs and any other relief the court deems proper. He is represented in this case by attorney Brian Stokes of The Stokes Law Office in St. Louis.
St. Clair County Circuit Court case number 22LA1073