Man claims he was pinned between dump truck and trailer

A man is suing an East St. Louis construction business and two of its employees after he says he was pinned between a dump truck and a box trailer.

Johnny L. Taylor Jr. filed a lawsuit May 28 in St. Clair County Circuit Court against ABM Construction, Darrell Gully and James Carson.

Taylor says that on July 15, Gully backed a semi tractor into the box trailer, causing Taylor to be pinned between the trailer and a dump truck.

Because of the incident, Taylor claims he suffered permanent and disabling injuries, including a thoracic crush injury, a blunt injury to his abdomen, a ruptured spleen and fractures to his sacrum, various vertebrae and ribs. He also incurred substantial medical costs, the complaint says.

The lawsuit says the defendants negligently failed to ensure the space between the trailer and the dump truck was clear before backing the semi-trailer into the box trailer and by failing to warn Taylor of their intention to back the semi-trailer into the box trailer.

Taylor is seeking compensatory damages of more than $50,000, plus pre-judgment interest, costs and other relief the court deems just.

Stephen E. Woodley and Thomas K. Neill of Gray, Ritter and Graham in St. Louis will be representing them.

St. Clair County Circuit Court case number: 09-L-280.