Car hauler sues Auto Handling over rig injuries

A man has filed suit against Auto Handling Corporation, saying he sustained injuries after falling on a slippery floor.

Darrell Frits and Vickie Frits filed suit July 8 in the St. Clair County Circuit Court against Auto Handling Corporation.

According to the complaint, Darrell Frits was working as a car hauler for Jack Cooper Transport Company on Aug. 14, 2012. He was walking on the upper deck of a rig the defendant owned when he fell, according to the complaint. Due to his fall, Darrell suffered severe and permanent injuries to his ankle, left knee and low back injuries and suffered pain and mental anguish, the suit states. He also incurred medical costs and lost wages, the complaint says.

The Fritses blame Auto Handling Corporation for causing Darrell's injuries, saying it negligently failed to provide proper maintenance and care for the rig, failed to ensure the walkways on the rig had adequate slip-resistant materials, failed to warn that other people had suffered serious injuries, failed to supply adequate warnings and failed to adequately test the rigs to ascertain whether the upper decks were safe.

They seek a judgment of more than $100,000, plus costs. They are being represented by attorneys Brian M. Wendler and Ellen R. Burford of Wendler Law in Edwardsville and Charles W. Armbruster and Michael T. Blotvogel of Armbruster, Dripps, Winterscheidt and Blotevogel in Alton.

St. Clair County Circuit Court case number 14-L-538.