Highland couple sues four companies over Route 40 accident

A Highland man and his wife have filed suit against four companies and an employee of the companies, alleging the man was seriously injured after the employee struck his vehicle in an accident.

Robert E. Engelmann was stopped for traffic in the westbound lanes of Illinois Route 40 near its intersection with Hemlock in Madison County on Jan. 8, 2007, when the accident occurred, according to the complaint filed Jan. 8 in Madison County Circuit Court.

At the same time, Norman L. Cambron, who was working for Tri-Lab, Laboratory Corporation of America Holdings, Laboratory Corporation of America and Health Ventures of Southern Illinois at the time of the collision, was driving a vehicle behind Engelmann when he struck the back of Engelmann's vehicle, the suit states.

Because of the accident, Engelmann was made sick, sore, lame and disordered, experienced pain and suffering, incurred substantial medical costs and has disability, he claims.

In addition, Betty J. Engelmann, his wife, has been deprived of her husband's society, companionship, love, affection, support and valuable services, according to the complaint.

Cambron was negligent by failing to reduce his speed to avoid a collision, by driving too fast, by following Engelmann too closely, by failing to keep a proper lookout for other vehicles on the road and by violating statutory rules, according to the complaint.

Cambron also negligently drove in a willful and wanton fashion, failed to properly apply the brakes of his vehicle and drove his vehicle without adequate brakes, the suit states.

Tri-Lab, Laboratory Corporation of America Holdings, Laboratory Corporation of America, Health Ventures of Southern Illinois were negligent through Cambron and owed the public a duty of ordinary care in the operation of their vehicles, the Engelmanns claim.

In the 16-count suit, the Englemans are seeking a judgment in excess of $800,000, plus costs.

They are represented by D. Jeffrey Ezra and Shaun M. Lieser of Ezra and Associates in Collinsville.

Madison County Circuit Court case number: 09-L-0017.