A legal malpractice suit has been filed against the Law Offices of David M. Galanti and attorney Leslie Collins over the alleged mishandling of an injured worker's third party claim.
Ron Lott filed the suit May 18 in Madison County Circuit Court alleging that the statute of limitations for a claim he could have filed against Veolia expired last year without his attorney taking action.
According to the complaint, Lott was injured May 13, 2014 while working at the U.S. Steel plant in Granite City. He alleges he was in a hole cleaning sludge when a Veolia worker dropped a 70-pound piece of steel that fell more than 15 feet and struck him in the back of the neck.
"Had such a third party lawsuit been timely filed, Mr. Lott would have prevailed," the suit states. "Because the statute of limitations has expired on that claim, Mr. Lott has lost his right to prosecute said claim and receive the compensation provided from such a cause of action."
Lott seeks in excess of $75,000 in damages.
He is represented by Christopher Cueto and Michael Gras of Belleville.
Madison County Circuit Court case number 17-L-676