Lawyer’s Fall Lands Town In A Lawsuit

By Andrew Gorosko

A Fairfield man has sued the town, seeking money damages in connection with injuries he suffered in a fall inside Edmond Town Hall in October 1999.

In a lawsuit filed in Danbury Superior Court, John E. Stone, Jr, states that at midday October 25, 1999, was performing title searches in the town clerk’s office, when he asked where he could find a men’s room and was instructed to use a men’s room in the building’s basement, although there is a men’s room on the first floor.

On his way to the men’s room, Mr Stone started walking down a slate staircase, lost his footing and fell violently on the stairs, according to the lawsuit. Mr Stone alleges the town is careless and negligent in the matter in that the stairs were slippery and worn, and were in a defective and dangerous_condition.

The plaintiff alleges the stairs were inadequately lit and were made of a dark substance, not allowing him to clearly see their location and safely use them. Mr Stone’s suit states he should have been instructed to use the men’s room on the same level as the town clerk’s office, which was a safer alternative to using the basement men’s room. Due to his fall, Mr Stone received a ruptured tendon, a_dislocated kneecap, pain, suffering, and mental anguish, according to the lawsuit.

Also, due to the injury, Mr Stone incurred diagnostic and medical expenses, including surgery and rehabilitation, and has been and will be restricted in his life’s activities, according to the lawsuit. Due to the injury, Mr Stone lost wages, it adds. Through the lawsuit, he seeks an unspecified amount of money damages exceeding $15,000. The town is scheduled to respond to the damage suit by March 27.