Carpenter claims injuries in ladder accident

A man who says he was injured after slipping from a ladder has filed suit against a construction company.

Harold Bray claims he was working as a carpenter for K&S Associates on Sept. 19, 2007. At the time, K&S had a contract with defendant Geissler Roofing that allowed Geissler to request work from and to supervise K&S employees, according to the complaint filed Sept. 4 in Madison County Circuit Court.

So, Bray was assigned to haul construction materials to a roof that Geissler was working on, the suit states.

Bray was climbing a ladder set up by Geissler employees to deliver the construction materials when the ladder's base slipped and Bray caught himself on the roof's edge to keep from falling, the complaint says.

Because of the incident, Bray claims he suffered injuries to his shoulders, arms, hands and body, incurred lost wages and experienced pain and suffering. In addition, he suffered disability, loss of a normal life, severe emotional distress and disfigurement, according to the complaint.

Geissler employees negligently failed to provide an adequate and non-defective ladder, set up the ladder without securing it or its base, failed to inspect the ladder, failed to maintain the ladder and failed to warn Bray of the improper set up of the ladder, the suit states.

In the two-count suit, Bray is seeking a judgment of more than $100,000, plus costs and other relief to which he is entitled.

Michael J. Brunton and Mary M. Stewart of Brunton Law Offices in Collinsville will be representing him.

Madison County Circuit Court case number: 09-L-931.