Truck caused forklift to fall off loading dock, suit claims

A forklift operator is suing a Troy business after a truck he was loading allegedly drove forward, causing the forklift he was driving to fall off a loading dock.

In the complaint filed Nov. 12 in St. Clair County Circuit Court, Terry Gibson says Navajo Express Inc. is to blame for the incident and should pay more than $50,000 in damages.

The alleged incident happened in November 2008 as Gibson was using a forklift to unload pallets off a tractor-trailer owned and operated by Navajo Express. Gibson says, without warning, the truck moved forward, causing the forklift to fall off the loading dock with him inside.

Gibson says the company is negligent for allowing the tractor-trailer to be moved without telling him first. He says he hurt his neck, back, knees and legs when the forklift fell to the ground.

The forklift operator is asking for $50,000 to $75,000 to compensate for pain and suffering, disability, disfigurement, medical expenses, the loss of a normal life, lost wages and an increased risk of future injuries.

Attorneys J. Michael Weilmuenster and Frederick W. Keck, of Belleville, are representing Gibson.

St. Clair County Circuit Court Case No. 10-L593