A woman claims she tripped and fell on an unsecured manhole lid while walking on Highland Avenue.
Dana Watts filed a lawsuit in the Madison County Circuit Court against American Water Works Co., Inc., American Water Works Service Company, Inc., John Doe and the City of Alton, alleging negligence.
According to the lawsuit, on March 4, 2021, Watts was walking near 810 Highland Avenue in Alton where there was a manhole with an unsecured lid. Watts alleges the manhole did not have signage warning of the dangerous condition. Due to not knowing the manhole lid was unsecured, Watts claims she was caused to be personally injured.
Watts alleges the defendants were negligent in failing to inspect the manhole and its lid, failing to warn and remedy the dangerous condition, failing to repair the dangerous condition, failing to properly train employees in identifying trip and fall hazards, failing to direct employees to properly warn pedestrians of the dangerous condition, failing to tighten the manhole lid and for allegedly distracting the plaintiff.
Watts claims she was caused to suffer bodily injuries to her back, legs, ankle, elbow and knee. She also claims she endured pain and suffering, mental anguish, loss of a normal life and incurred medical expenses.
Watts seeks a sum in excess of $50,000, plus pre-judgment interest, post-judgment interest and attorney fees.
This article was first published in Madison Record.
