Suit filed over barge worker's death due to chain hoist accident

A Madison County man's family filed suit against several companies for his untimely death.

Timothy Sagez, on behalf of Jason Sagez, filed suit Nov. 17 in Madison County Circuit Court against Columbus McKinnon Corporation, Katsuyama Kikai, Nitchi Company and National Maintenance & Repair Inc., citing negligence.

According to the complaint, Jason Sagez, who was employed by National Maintenance & Repair, died Nov. 15, 2012, when he was working on the vessel “Jennie K” at the National Maintenance & Repair floating maintenance dock in Hartford. The suit states Saez was removing a propeller from the vessel when the chain hoist, which was manufactured by one or more of the defendants, broke, causing the propeller to fall, striking Sagez and causing his death.

The suit seeks damages caused by the defendants' alleged negligence as well as faulty manufacturing by one or more of the defendants. Timothy Sagez seeks costs to cover his son's final medical bills and funeral costs.

Sagez is represented by attorney James Williams of Williams, Caponi & Associates in Belleville.

Madison County Court number: 14-L-1567.