A Kane County jury awarded $1.19 million to a hotel employee who severely injured her shoulder when she tripped and fell on an extension cord left out by a painting contractor.

Esperanza Felix, an employee at Hotel Baker in St. Charles, worked an overnight shift in the guest services department on Feb. 12, 2022.

Jacob Resendez, a painter employed by Jose Recendiz Painting, Inc., was painting the lobby of Hotel Baker.

According to the complaint, Resendez placed and left a tangled extension cord in front of the doorway to the guest services office at some point during Felix’s shift.

Felix walked in and out of the office several times before the extension cord was left in front of the door.

Shortly after the cord was left on the floor, Felix tripped and fell on it as she was walking out of the office.

Felix dislocated her shoulder and tore portions of her rotator cuff as a result of the fall.

Her injuries required surgery, including an arthroscopic rotator cuff repair, her attorneys said.

The surgery was unsuccessful in treating Felix’s pain, so she had reverse total shoulder replacement surgery.

Felix’s attorneys said she continues to experience weakness, pain and some limitations, including difficulty caring for her adult son, who has cerebral palsy.

Felix sued Jose Recendiz Painting Inc. and Resendez for negligence in Kane County Circuit Court.

The complaint alleged they failed to remove an untidy extension cord from in front of the door to guest services when they knew or should have known the extension cord posed a hazard to patrons and employees of the hotel and failed to warn employees about it, among other claims.

The case went to trial Sept. 8 before Kane County Circuit Court Judge Susan Clancy Boles.

The jury reached a verdict in favor of Felix and against the painter and his employer on Sept. 10.

The award covers pain and suffering, loss of a normal life, emotional distress and medical care. Felix was also awarded $240,000 in prejudgment interest and costs, increasing the award to $1.43 million.

Felix is represented by James N. Faklis and Michael C. Mead of Faklis Tallis & Mead PC.

The attorneys said they were pleased the jury found Felix was not at fault in any way, noting that it is “rare” for there to be no comparative negligence in a trip-and-fall case.

“We are happy with the results,” Faklis said. “We were fortunate to represent such a nice woman in her time of need.”

Jose Recendiz Painting and Resendez are represented by Laura M. Maul of Esp Kreuzer Cores LLP and Matthew K. Krueger of Brassfield & Krueger Ltd. They could not be reached for comment.

The case is Felix v. Jose Recendiz Painting Inc., et al., No. 2022 LA 000102.

 

By Grace Barbic gb*****@**************ia.com
Posted September 17, 2025 2:11 PM CDT