A man is suing the City of Wood River and Illinois water companies, alleging he fell in a meter hole at Belk Park because the cover wasn’t securely placed.
Plaintiff Jack L. Lingenfelter filed the lawsuit in the Madison County Circuit Court against the City of Wood River and Illinois American Water, citing negligence.
According to the lawsuit, the City of Wood River operates and maintains a golf course at Belk Park. The lawsuit adds that Illinois American Water provides water services to the golf course.
On Aug. 8, 2023, Lingenfelter was a patron of the golf course when he claims he stepped onto a meter cover that was left unsecured, causing him to fall into the hole and injure himself.
The lawsuit states that Wood River was negligent in its failure to warn patrons of the dangerous condition at the golf course and that Illinois American Water was negligent in failing to secure the meter cover after maintenance.
The plaintiff is seeking damages in excess of $50,000, plus court costs and any other relief the court deems proper.
This article was first published in Madison Record.
