A man and his wife blame a roofing company for causing the man to sustain a tracheotomy after he fell off a ladder the company allegedly failed to secure to the roof.
Richard L. and Dianna Godwin filed a lawsuit July 21 in St. Clair County Circuit Court against Old Style Roofing Company.
The Godwins claim Richard L. Godwin was employed by Survant Air Systems and was working at 803 Holiday Dr. in Fairview Heights on April 24 when he attempted to climb down a ladder.
"Richard L. Godwin fell descending the ladder and he sustained fractures of numerous vertebrae, fractured numerous ribs, sustained a severe head injury, he required a tracheotomy, feeding tube, he fractured his left clavicle, and he suffered injuries to his body as a whole," the suit states.
In addition, Richard L. Godwin suffered pain, disability, loss of enjoyment of life, mental anguish and distress, has been prevented from attending to his normal duties and has incurred medical expenses, according to the complaint.
The Godwins blame Old Style Roofing Company for failing to properly tie off a ladder and for failing to warn Richard L. Godwin the ladder was not properly secured to the building.
In the two-count suit, the Godwins are seeking a judgment of more than $100,000, plus costs.
Joseph A. Bartholomew of Cook, Ysursa, Bartholomew, Brauer and Shevlin in Belleville will be representing them.
St. Clair County Circuit Court case number: 09-L-389.
Roofing company blamed for worker's fall and tracheotomy
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