Dangerous chemicals puddled on Granite City road sickened man, suit says

A Madison County man alleges he was hurt by dangerous chemicals allowed to form a puddle on a Granite City road.

Antonio Buffo filed the complaint against U.S. Steel Corporation of East Chicago, Ind., Granite City Works Management Club and Carl Cannon on Aug. 21 in Madison County Circuit Court.

Buffo says he was driving by the U.S. Steel Corporation and the Granite City Works Management Club facility on State Street in Granite City on March 4 when he noticed a liquid that had collected on the road. According to the lawsuit, Buffo got out of his vehicle to inspect the puddle and report it to Ameren Illinois. While waiting for someone to arrive and take care of the puddle, Buffo says he was exposed to the liquid chemical's fumes that included "hydrogen sulfide, coke residue and other byproducts of steel production."

Buffo contends his exposure to the chemicals on the road caused damage to his nose, sinuses, lungs and respiratory tract. He says the injuries forced him to be hospitalized.

Buffo accuses U.S. Steel Corporation, Granite City Works Management Club and club manager Cannon of negligence for allegedly failing to keep dangerous chemicals safely contained and off the public road and for failing to warn the public of potential dangers.

Buffo seeks more than $150,000 in damages plus court costs. He is represented by attorney Lanny Darr of the Schrempf, Kelly, Napp & Darr law firm in Alton.

The case number is Madison County Circuit Court case 14-L-1176