Woman falls on stairs, sues

A woman is suing after over claims she was injured on stairs.

Raefella Banks filed a lawsuit Dec. 12 in the Cook County Circuit Court against Niota McDowell, citing negligence.

According to the complaint, Banks sustained injuries on April 27, when she fell down stairs at the defendant's property at 2324 W. 143rd St. in Dixmoor. The plaintiff alleges the defendant allowed the premises to be in a dangerous condition by having carpet on the stairs in bad condition.

Banks is seeking damages above $50,000, plus costs. She is being represented in the case by attorney David M. Sternberg of Sachs, Earnest & Associates Ltd.

Cook County Circuit Court Case No. 2013L014052.

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