BELLEVILLE – A student's mother filed a negligence lawsuit against the Belle Valley School District #119 and its employees after her son broke his thumb in the school's locker room.
Plaintiff Kaniesha Bennett, on behalf of her minor child Malik Simms, filed the lawsuit in the St. Clair County Circuit Court against the Belle Valley School District #119, superintendent R. Dane Gale, principal Tammara L. Leib and teacher Amanda Bigley, citing negligence.
According to the lawsuit, on May 5, 2022, Simms was getting dressed for gym class in the boy's locker room at school when he got his right thumb caught in the hinge of the locker door. The incident caused him to break his thumb.
The lawsuit alleges the school was negligent by failing to properly supervise the boy's locker room and failing to train its employees to supervise students.
As a result of his injuries, Simms has experienced pain, suffering, and mental anguish. The lawsuit states that the plaintiffs have incurred medical expenses and Simms will continue to require the services of medical staff to recover.
The plaintiffs are seeking damages in excess of $50,000, plus court costs and any other relief the court deems proper. They are represented in this case by attorney Gary A. Mack of the Law Offices of Gary A. Mack in Belleville.
St. Clair County Circuit Court case number 23LA0159