BELLEVILLE – A man with just one leg is suing Gateway Foundation for allegedly failing to assign him handicapped-accessible living quarters, which caused him to fall and suffer injuries.
Plaintiff Daniel Adkins filed a lawsuit in the St. Clair County Circuit Court against Gateway Foundation, Inc., and Dusin Kibler, citing negligence and carelessness. Kibler was employed by Gateway Foundation as chief counselor.
According to the lawsuit, Adkins alleges that before he was admitted to Gateway, he had lost one of his legs and required the use of a handicapped accessible bathroom - a fact allegedly known to the defendants.
The lawsuit states that on Jan. 26, 2021, the defendants reassigned Adkins to a room that did not have a handicapped accessible bathroom. Adkins alleges that same day he had to remove his prosthetic leg in order to shower. While he was showering, he allegedly slipped and severely injured his right ankle.
According to Adkins, the defendants were negligent and careless in assigning him to a room that was not handicapped accessible.
Adkins asserts that he has suffered severe bodily injuries, which have caused him to experience pain, suffering, mental anguish, disfigurement, and lost wages. He claims his ability to earn income has been impacted. The lawsuit also states that Adkins incurred medical expenses and will continue to require the services of medical staff to recover.
The plaintiff is seeking damages in excess of $75,000, plus court costs and any other relief the court deems proper. He is represented in this case by attorneys Thomas Q. Keefe and Samantha S. Unsell of Keefe, Keefe & Unsell, P.C. in Belleville.
St. Clair County Circuit Court case number 23LA0052