Richton Park homeowner sued for negligence, premises liability

A man is suing a homeowner after he fell while inside the home to inspect the furnace.

Gregory Cook filed a lawsuit Oct. 17 in the Circuit Court of Cook County against Clifton Rucker, citing negligence and premise liability.

The plaintiff alleges on Nov. 8, 2011, he sustained serious injuries when he fell while in the defendant's home, located in Richton Park.

According to the complaint, the plaintiff was in Rucker's home to clean and inspect the furnace when he fell on a weight that was in the doorway of the furnace room. The complaint also states there was debris in the furnace room and inadequate lighting.

The plaintiff is seeking damages in excess of the jurisdictional minimum. He is being represented by Newman Boyer & Statham LTD in Chicago.

Circuit Court of Cook County Case No. 2013L011515.

This is a report on a civil lawsuit filed in the Circuit Court of Cook County. The details in this report come from an original complaint filed by a plaintiff. Please note, a complaint represents an accusation by a private individual, not the government. It is not an indication of guilt, and it only represents one side of the story.