Man's ankle crushed under pallet jack, suit claims

A Professional Contract Services, Inc. employee has filed suit against the company, alleging his ankle was crushed after it was stuck under a pallet jack.

Michael Vossmeyer says he was moving pallets of furniture from a U.S. Department of Agriculture building to a warehouse in the Rivers Edge Business Campus in Madison County for PCSI on June 29, 2007.

While Vossmeyer was standing on a loading dock at the campus, a fellow employee let loose a pallet jack or skid and allowed it to roll down-slope over a dock plate, according to the complaint filed June 22 in Madison County Circuit Court.

The pallet jack hit Vossmeyer's right ankle, pinning it between the pallet jack and another wooden pallet, the complaint says.

Because of the incident, Vossmeyer experienced swelling of his right ankle, an osteochondral lesion, pain, weakness, restriction of movement, numbness and a change of gait, the suit states. In addition, he says his ability to enjoy life has been lessened, he lost wages and he has been forced to incur medical expenses of more than $14,000.

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

James E. Parrot of the Law Office of James E. Parrot in St. Louis will be representing him.

Madison County Circuit Court case number: 09-L-653.