Teacher sues EV district

A Trent Elementary School teacher is suing the East Valley School District for negligence after she fell in an icy parking lot last year and broke her leg.

According to court records, Lorri A. Reilly, a reading teacher, was walking from her car in the school’s parking lot when she slipped on the ice and snow and fell.

Reilly suffered a fractured lower leg that required surgery to place four small pins in her lower leg, and one long pin in through the bone and ligament, court records state.

The lawsuit, which was filed Oct. 28, asks for unspecified medical expenses, attorney fees and unspecified damages for lost income, loss of enjoyment of life, severe physical pain and suffering, and potential reduction of life expectancy.

Reilly’s husband, Michael, is also named as plaintiff in the lawsuit, seeking loss of consortium, companionship, and love and affection.

The lawsuit alleges that the district failed to maintain their premises in a safe condition, and failed to remove snow accumulations and maintain the parking lot for safety.

Reilly arrived at the school about 7:45 a.m. on Nov. 25 last year and “observed that the parking lot had not been plowed and a small layer of snow covered the parking lot,” court records state.

She was about 10 feet from the sidewalk when she fell.

On Feb. 3, Reilly went into surgery to remove the pins in her leg, and during the procedure the screw on the tip of the longer pin broke off, the lawsuit states.

The pin could not be removed, and remains in her leg.

East Valley spokeswoman Judi Christianson said the district does not comment on pending litigation.