Conkling Marina sued after man takes a spill

COEUR d’ALENE — A 58-year-old Spokane man who said he fell on a dock at Conkling Marina is suing the resort owners for not maintaining the floating platform.

Boater Ronald Bettuelli, 58, of Spokane, said he was walking on the dock at Conkling Park when his cane went through a broken section of planking causing him to fall against a steel electrical box.

The fall resulted in Bettuelli suffering severe injuries, according to a lawsuit filed in Coeur d’Alene’s First District Court.

The incident, which happened two years ago, was a result of negligence on the part of the resort owners, Bettuelli alleges in the lawsuit filed through his attorney, Michael B. Hague.

The lawsuit names resort owners Thomas, Frances and Tim Kirkpatrick as defendants as well as a series of unnamed defendants.

Bettuelli said the defendants failed in their responsibility to maintain the docks and premises in good condition and to warn anyone using the docks of any hidden dangers, according to the suit.

It alleges Bettuelli suffered “severe personal injuries the extent of which will be proven at trial.”

As a result of injuries caused by his alleged fall on the dock, Bettuelli said he will “experience pain and suffering into the future,” and “may continue to incur reasonably certain medical and related expenses.”

The plaintiff is asking for damages in excess of $10,000, the threshold amount to file a civil case in District Court.