BELLEVILLE – A woman has filed a lawsuit against the City of Cahokia Heights, alleging she fell in a meter hole because the cover wasn't securely placed.
Plaintiff Nicole Chapman filed the lawsuit in the St. Clair County Circuit Court against the City of Cahokia Heights, doing business as the Village of Cahokia Water and Sewer Department, citing negligence.
According to the lawsuit, the defendant is responsible for providing the residents of Cahokia Heights with water and sanitary sewer services. It is also responsible for the maintenance of water meter and manhole access in the city, the suit states.
Chapman alleges that on March 16, 2022, she had gone to retrieve her dog, which had gotten loose. She claims that while she was walking along a fence line on Levin Dr., she stepped onto a meter cover that wasn't secured, causing her to fall into the hole.
The lawsuit states that the defendants negligently failed to secure the meter cover and failed to properly train its employees in the handling of meter covers.
Chapman claims she has sustained serious injuries which have caused her to experience pain, suffering and mental anguish. She adds that she has incurred medical expenses and will continue to require the services of medical staff to recover.
The plaintiff is seeking damages in excess of $50,000, plus court costs and any other relief the court deems proper. She is represented in this case by attorney Ryan M. Campbell of Morgan & Morgan, P.A. in St. Louis.
St. Clair County Circuit Court case number 23LA0344