MADISON - ST. CLAIR RECORD

A man has filed suit against the companies that he says forced him to attempt to cut a dangerous iron beam that fell on him.

Gregory Ebersohl claims he was working as an iron worker for defendant Shurtleff and Andrews Corporation on a Prairie State Energy Power Plant construction project on May 16, 2008, when the incident occurred.

Shurtleff had been subcontracted to provide construction services to defendant Bechtel on the Prairie Plant project, according to the lawsuit filed Oct. 12 in St. Clair County Circuit Court.

As Ebersohl was performing his work for the companies, he was struck by a falling iron beam when he attempted to cut metal bands on the beams, the suit states.

Because of the incident, Ebersohl suffered severe and permanent injuries, endured a great deal of pain and emotional suffering and experienced disfigurement and loss of a normal life, the complaint says. In addition, Ebersohl claims he was prevented from working in a normal fashion, has lost wages and has incurred a great deal of medical expenses.

Shurtleff and Bechtel were blamed for a number of negligent acts, including their requirement that iron beams be banded with a smaller iron beam inside of the two outer beams, directed delivery of the iron beams to the Prairie State Energy Power Plant with a smaller beam inside of the outer beam, failed to apply any warning device to the beams and failed to inspect the iron beams prior to their arrival, according to the complaint.

In the three-count suit, Ebersohl is seeking a judgment of more than $150,000, plus costs.

He will be represented by Jason R. Caraway of Kirkpatrick Law Offices in Belleville.

St. Clair County Circuit Court case number: 09-L-548.