Patron's stumble spurs suit against owners of Erie Street cafe

A woman is suing the owners of a cafe in the River North area after falling on her way to the restroom.

Barbara and George Yerby filed suit July 24 in Cook County Circuit Court against La Luna Enterprise Inc., Peleton Corp., E.J. Lenzi, Toni Lenzi, Gene Michelotti and all other entities doing business as Erie Cafe.

According to the complaint, Barbara was a patron at Erie Cafe at 536 W. Erie St. on Oct. 6, 2012, when she stumbled and fell while walking to the women's restroom as the floor levels between the bar and dining room were uneven.

She claims she sustained permanent injuries and accuses the defendants of failing to provide adequate warning to patrons about the uneven floor, not inspecting the floor's surface levels, failing to construct the floor to create an even surface and failing to maintain the premises in a safe and reasonable manner.

The suit also includes a count from George Yerby, in which he claims he has lost his wife's society and companionship as a result of her injuries.

The Yerbys are seeking damages in excess of $50,000 and are represented by Chicago attorney Stephen I. Lane of Lane & Lane LLC.

Cook County Circuit Court Chancery Division Case No. 2014L007741.

This is a report on a civil lawsuit filed in Cook County Circuit Court Chancery Division. 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 represents only one side of the story.