EDWARDSVILLE – An employee with the City of Collinsville is suing a resident after he allegedly stepped in a hole in the resident's yard and injured his back while performing his job duties.
Plaintiff Russell Friederich filed the lawsuit in the Madison County Circuit Court against defendant Derrick Cox, citing negligence.
According to the lawsuit, on March 22, 2021, Friederich was on Cox's property on March 22, 2021, performing his job of reading meters for the City of Collinsville. He claims he suddenly stepped into an unmarked hole, causing him to trip and injure his lower back.
Friederich claims Cox was negligent and careless in failing to properly maintain the property and failing to notify the plaintiff that there was a dangerous hole on the property.
The plaintiff claims his injuries have caused him to endure pain, suffering, and disability, which will impact his ability to earn income in the future. He adds that as a result of his injuries, he has incurred medical costs and will continue to require medical care to recover from his injuries.
Friederich 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 Samantha S. Unsell of Keefe, Keefe, & Unsell, P.C. in Belleville.
Madison County Circuit Court case number 2023LA000149