Putnam man sues over fall at polling place

WINFIELD – A Scott Depot man blames the Putnam County Commission, the county school board and the county clerk for a fall he took after voting.

Clarence E. Snyder filed the lawsuit May 10 in Putnam Circuit Court. In his complaint, Snyder says he went to vote at Teays Valley Elementary School on May 11, 2004, in the primary election.

After voting, he says he "proceeded out the front exit of the building, which is a concrete landing pad, follow by approximately 15 steps."

His complaint says the landing pad was in need of repair with visible indents in the concrete where it has worn away, leaving the landing uneven.

"The concrete steps that follow are uneven, raised and separated as to make a large gap within the concrete steps," the complaint states.

Snyder says the defendants had full knowledge of the "gross disrepair" of the walkways and stairs leading to the public polling place.

Represented by Barboursville attorney Stephen Jarrell, Snyder accused the defendants of negligence, negligent infliction of emotional distress and a tort of outrage.

He says he suffered mental anguish, emotional distress, humiliation and loss of enjoyment of life. He seeks compensatory and punitive damages, attorney fees and other damages.

Snyder requests a jury trial.

The case has been assigned to Circuit Judge Ed Eagloski.

Putnam Circuit Court case number: 06-C-145