Widman Construction sued by worker over concrete injury

A Madison County man says he was hurt by a falling piece of concrete while working at a Wood River refinery.

Billy V. Williams filed a lawsuit Aug. 4 in Madison County Circuit Court against Widman Construction Inc., Hydro-Exc Inc., Hydro-Exc Mid-America Inc., Fluor Enterprises Inc. and Fluor Daniel Illinois Inc. ConocoPhillips Company, WRB Refining LLC and Encana U.S. Refineries LLC are also named as defendants.

Williams says he worked as a pipefitter and welder for the California-based Fluor Constructors International. In December 2009, Williams says he assigned to work at the ConocoPhilips refinery in Wood River. Williams claims several other companies were also contracted to excavate and trench at the West Side Plant.

Williams says he was working in a trench when a large section of concrete built to hold the excavating machinery broke off and fell into the trench. He claims he was unable to escape the falling debris and it knocked him to the ground. Williams says he seriously injured his back during the incident.

Williams accuses the defendants of negligence and is asking to be paid more than $400,000 in damages for medical expenses and lost wages along with court costs.

Attorney Edward J. Szewcyk of Granite City is representing Williams. They ask for a jury trial.

Madison County Circuit Court Case No. 11-L-766.