ST. LOUIS — A bus passenger is suing a transport company, citing alleged failure to protect.
Mark Paffrath filed a complaint in the St. Louis 22nd Judicial Circuit Court against Bi-State Development Agency of the Missouri-Illinois Metropolitan District, doing business as Metro, and Securitas Security Services USA Inc., alleging that the defendants failed its duty to provide security or monitor its property to avoid causing danger to passengers.
According to the complaint, the plaintiff alleges that on Dec. 11, 2015, he was a passenger of Metro and was the unprovoked victim of an assault, battery and robbery, which caused physical and emotional injuries. The plaintiff claims the suspects went into his pockets, stole his wallet and punched him in the face. He was left bloody and battered while the suspects fled the scene without being stopped or restrained by police officers or security guards.
The plaintiff holds the defendants responsible because they allegedly failed to maintain a safe and secure environment for passengers on the premises, failed to recognize an unreasonable risk of injury to plaintiff and failed to properly hire, screen and train its employees and agents, who were given the responsibility of providing security.
The plaintiff requests a trial by jury and seeks judgment for compensatory, nominal and/or punitive damages in a such amount in excess of $25,000, plus interest, and for such other and further relief deemed just and proper. He is represented by Jeremy D. Hollingshead and John H. Moffitt III of Hollingshead & Dudley in St. Louis.
St. Louis 22nd Judicial Circuit Court case number 1722-CC01227