ST. LOUIS — A St. Louis woman is suing a property owner, citing alleged failure to follow requirements before building a wheelchair access ramp.
Betty Jean Burke, also known as Betty Jean Hume, filed a complaint in the St. Louis 22nd Judicial Circuit Court against Michael E. DeVaney, alleging the defendant violated the International Residential Code due construction of wheelchair access ramp without a permit.
According to the complaint, on July 30, 2012, the plaintiff was injured while on a wheelchair access ramp constructed by DeVaney at his residence. The ramp allegedly rose more than 30 inches above the grade, requiring a permit, handrails and guards.
As a result, plaintiff claims she suffered serious injuries, required physical therapy and incurred medical expenses.
The plaintiff holds Michael E. DeVaney responsible because the defendant allegedly failed to acquire a building permit for the construction of the ramp, failed to follow the necessary requirements before building a ramp and failed to provide handrails and guards on the ramp for safety.
The plaintiff seeks judgment in an amount that would be fair and reasonable to compensate for plaintiff's injuries, costs incurred, and well as any further relief the court deems just. She is represented by Ira M. Berkowitz of Law Office of Ira M. Berkowitz in St. Louis.
St. Louis 22nd Judicial Circuit Court case number 1722-CC10883