Walton
A Collinsville man sustained severe back, right arm and shoulder injuries after a catwalk on which he was operating a crane collapsed, according to recently filed court documents.
Michael Cary filed a lawsuit Oct. 7 in St. Clair County Circuit Court against Sennebogen and Roland Machinery Company.
In his complaint, Cary alleges he was operating a crane on Nov. 3 when the incident occurred.
"While standing on the catwalk attached to the crane, said catwalk collapsed and/or otherwise failed, causing Plaintiff to fall several feet to the ground and suffer severe and permanent injuries," according to the complaint.
In addition to his injuries, Cary incurred medical costs; experienced disability, pain, suffering, mental anguish and emotional distress; and lost his earnings and his earning capacity, the suit states. He also lost his enjoyment of life, the complaint says.
He blames the defendants for causing his injuries, saying they negligently designed a catwalk that could unexpectedly collapse, designed a catwalk that was inadequately secured to a crane, utilized bolts on the catwalk that failed to contain a locking device and that contained an insufficient thread depth and utilized bolts that could not support the weight of the catwalk.
In his four-count complaint, Cary seeks a judgment of more than $200,000, plus costs and other relief the court deems just.
Troy E. Walton of Schoen, Walton, Telken and Foster in East St. Louis will be representing him.
St. Clair County Circuit Court case number: 11-L-573.