Belleville loft apartment worker sues after falling in elevator shaft

An Imperial, Mo. man is suing a real estate developer and several contractors after he allegedly fell down an elevator shaft at a downtown Belleville loft apartment under construction.

Robert Amos filed the lawsuit against GLK Development LLC, Joe Kinsella & Son Inc., Walker Macey Inc., Authorized Elevator, Missouri Elevator & Escalator Inc., Midwest Elevator Inspection Services, Midwest Certified Elevator Inspections Inc., and Midwest Elevator Company Inc. on Oct. 29 in St. Clair County Circuit Court.

Amos says he was working for Barcom in November 2008 as a security equipment installer. Amos says he was hired by subcontractors Joe Kinsella & Son and Walker Macey to install security equipment in an apartment complex that was under contruction.

The Belleville apartments were owned and being built by GLK Development. Amos claims when he showed up for work and tried to use the elevator, the doors opened but there was no car. Amos allegedly fell down the elevator shaft, injuring his leg, shoulder and head, which caused him to lose his hearing.

Amos is suing the owners of the property, the subcontractors and the elevator companies for negligence, saying they failed to maintain a safe, working elevator. He is asking for $650,000 to cover the cost of medical bills, lost wages and court fees.

Attorney Matthew R. Chapman of Granite City is representing Amos.

St. Clair County Circuit Court case No. 10-L-570