Jack stand collapses, boilermaker claims in suit

A man has filed suit against two companies, alleging his foot was crushed after a jack stand collapsed while he was attempting to move a welding machine.

Ronald McMillan claims he was working as a boilermaker at Conoco Phillips refinery on Nov. 20, 2008, when he attempted to move a welding machine with a jack stand that suddenly collapsed on his left foot, crushing it.

Because of the incident, McMillan suffered severe and permanent disabilities, sustained great pain and mental anguish and incurred medical costs, the suit filed Nov. 12 in Madison County Circuit Court states. In addition, he lost large sums of money because of his inability to work, according to the complaint.

Defendants Miller Welding and Iron Works and DJ Miller Enterprises, which manufactured the welding machine that fell on McMillan's foot, negligently designed a machine with a jack stand of inadequate strength to support its weight and that failed to have adequate warnings about potential hazards, the complaint says.

In the six-count suit, McMillan is seeking a judgment of more than $200,000, plus costs.

He will be represented by Bruce R. Cook of Cook, Ysursa, Bartholomew, Brauer and Shevlin in Belleville.

Madison County Circuit Court case number: 09-L-1215.