Helmkamp claims U.S. Steel has failed to pay for services

A Missouri construction company claims U.S. Steel has failed to pay it hundreds of thousands of dollars for services and work it provided.

Helmkamp Construction Company claims it entered into a contract with U.S. Steel on May 14, 2009, in which it agreed to provide U.S. Steel with labor, materials and supplies. By March 16, 2010, Helmkamp had finished the work and billed U.S. Steel $209,705 for its services, according to the complaint filed Nov. 9 in Madison County Circuit Court.

Again, on Aug. 31, 2009, Helmkamp entered into another contract with U.S. Steel, agreeing to provide services, labor and materials at a separate location, the suit states. By June 24, Helmkamp completed the work and billed U.S. Steel $86,765.36 for the job, the complaint says.

Helmkamp, however, claims it has yet to receive payment for the services it rendered.

After failing to receive payment, Helmkamp filed two mechanic's liens on the properties where it performed the work, according to the complaint.

Now, Helmkamp wants the court to decree its mechanic's liens as valid and to order sale of the properties, the suit states. In addition to the money it says it is owed, Helmkamp is also seeking interest at 10 percent, attorneys' fees, costs and other relief the court deems just.

Helmkamp will be represented by Roger W. Pecha and Sarah J. Swoboda of Jenkins and Kling in St. Louis.

Madison County Circuit Court case number: 10-L-1140.