Traumatic brain injury at work site prompts suit

A Monroe County man says he began experiencing psychological, behavioral and personality changes after he was struck in the face with construction materials while working.

Andrew Buckley filed a lawsuit June 5 in St. Clair County Circuit Court against Rehkemper & Sons and National Crane Company, doing business as Manitowoc Cranes, Inc.

While Buckley was working fro McFadden Construction Company on July 11, 2007, at a construction site known as the Villas of Northwind in Columbia, Rehkemper and Sons was using mobile cranes to move heavy construction supplies at the same site.

Employees of Rehkemper and Sons were attempting to move bundled floor trusses with the crane when the accident occurred.

"When Defendant's crane operator lowered and extended the telescoping crane arm, the arm suddenly broke and dropped the bundled floor trusses," the complaint says. "As they fell, the bundled trusses glanced off of other construction materials stacked on the ground and one end of the bundles bounced upwards striking Plaintiff in the head and chest, catapulting him many feet backwards onto a concrete surface."

Because of the incident, Buckley suffered facial fractures that required reconstruction surgery of his facial bones and sinuses and a traumatic brain injury that caused his changes, according to the complaint. He also experienced an impaired ability to enjoy the ordinary pursuits of life and lost wages and income because of his inability to work, the suit states.

Buckley is seeking a judgment of more than $50,000, plus costs and other relief the court deems just.

James P. Lemonds of Brown and Crouppen in St. Louis will be representing him.

St. Clair County Circuit Court case number: 09-L-293.