The Blair Oaks R-2 School District is being sued after a Jefferson City woman and her husband alleged she was injured in a fall from the bleachers at Blair Oaks Middle School in November 2017.
Susan Long and Don Jones, both of Jefferson City, filed the personal injury lawsuit Tuesday in Cole County Circuit Court.
The couple's lawsuit alleges Long was watching her grandson wrestle in a match at Blair Oaks Middle School's gym on or about Nov. 14, 2017. During the match, she decided to take a younger grandchild, who was crying, outside and walked down the bleachers, using the seats as steps.
Long would have been about 60 years old at the time, based on the birth year listed in online court records, and her husband would have been about 66.
As Long walked down the bleachers, the lawsuit alleges she could not see that the bottom bleacher had been pushed in, leaving "a large drop-off" in her last step that "was much greater than it appeared and was expected," and she fell.
Long "was unable to walk after the incident and was placed into a wheelchair." After her grandson's wrestling match, she went to the emergency room at Capital Region Medical Center for evaluation, according to the lawsuit.
The lawsuit alleges Long "suffered severe injuries to her left knee and leg, including fractures, which have required ongoing treatment including surgeries and physical therapy," in addition to anxiety and emotional distress.
In addition to medical bills, the lawsuit alleges Long has suffered because of her injuries and will suffer lost earnings and diminished quality of life.
In the lawsuit, Jones affirms his wife's allegations and adds he has been "deprived of her society, services, support, association, consortium and companionship and his enjoyment thereof has been and in the future will be lessened, impaired and diminished" because of her injuries.
The couple's lawsuit does not ask for a specific amount of compensation from the school district, but asks for damages "that will fairly and justly compensate" for damages suffered, legal costs, "post-judgment interest," and "all other relief deemed just and proper."
The lawsuit alleges Blair Oaks was negligent because the bottom bleacher was pushed in and "there were no warning signs, no barricades and nothing to advise an exiting patron that the bleacher was pushed in, which created a last step that was approximately twice the distance as every other step on the bleachers. Nor was there an employee cautioning visitors to be careful while navigating that particular set of bleachers."
The lawsuit also alleges using bleacher seats as steps "was often observed because fans seated on interior bleachers had little room to reach the stairs when other guests were seated between them and the stairs."
Blair Oaks Superintendent Jim Jones had not yet been served Tuesday, and wanted to wait to comment until he had more information.