Laborer sues Mine Supply Co. over injuries

A Centerville man has filed suit against The Mine Supply Company, claiming his lower back was injured after he attempted to install a pump motor assembly that the company had repaired.

Keith King was working for the Commonfields of Cahokia on Jan. 10, installing the assembly into the sewage pipeline, when an eye-bolt attached to the top of the assembly failed and the assembly fell to the metal floor, according to the complaint filed Nov. 25 in St. Clair County Circuit Court.

The motor "slid across and against the left leg of Brian Sminchak pinning it against a metal frame and the pump motor assembly fell onto the right foot of Plaintiff, Keith King," the suit states.

King claims he then lifted the pump motor assembly off his right foot and off Sminchak's left leg, resulting in severe injuries to his back.

As a result of the incident, King sustained numerous, severe and disabling injuries to his lower back and other body parts, according to the complaint.

He has suffered mental and physical pain and anguish and has become responsible for medical costs, the suit states.

King claims he has been unable to perform his work and has lost wages.

He claims Mine Supply Company was negligent because it failed to make a reasonable inspection of the eye-bolt, failed to properly repair the assembly, failed to test the eye-bolt, failed to warn King of the eye-bolt's dangerous condition and failed to properly unload the assembly.

King is seeking a judgment in excess of $50,000, plus costs.

He is represented by Stephen C. Buser of Columbia of the Law Office of Stephen C. Buser in Columbia.

St. Clair County Circuit Court case number: 08-L-609.