Injuries sustained in tree limb cutting results in suit

A man has filed suit against his former employer, alleging the employer did not supervise him after instructing the man to cut off tree limbs.

According to a lawsuit filed Oct. 17 in St. Clair County Circuit Court, Cody Lafarge alleges he was working for defendant Kelly Thurman on June 6 when he was instructed to climb into a tree at Thurman's farm at 2550 Antiquity Lane, Belleville, and to saw limbs off a tree.

However, Thurman did not provide Lafarge with a safe place to work, failed to provide him with proper machinery or safety equipment and failed to supervise Lafarge while he was cutting the tree, according to the complaint.

In turn, Lafarge sustained severe and permanent injuries to his head and body, became sick, sore, lame and disordered, and endured great physical pain and mental anguish, the suit states. He also was unable to attend to his usual duties, was deprived of wages and incurred medical costs, the complaint says.

In his complaint, Lafarge seeks a judgment of more than $50,000, plus costs and other relief the court deems just.

Attorney Christopher B. Hantla of Hantla and Hantla in Litchfield will represent Lafarge.

St. Clair County Circuit Court case number: 14-L-696.