Prairie State Energy, others, sued over iron worker's injuries

A St. Clair County man is suing the owners, operators and contractors of a Lively Grove power plant after he was allegedly hurt while working there.

William S. Simmons filed a lawsuit Feb. 6 in St. Clair County Circuit Court against COT Puritech, Prairie State Energy Campus Management Inc., Prairie State Generating Company Inc. and Illinois Municipal Electric Agency.

According to the complaint, Simmons was working as an iron worker for Bechtel Corporation, a contractor for the Prairie State Energy Campus. In July 2011, Simmons says, he was hurt while walking through an area he says was obstructed by industrial materials. Simmons says he hurt his back and other parts of his body because of the blocked walkway.

Simmons accuses the defendants of negligence for allegedly allowing him to work in an unsafe environment and allegedly failing to warn him of the possible dangers. He is asking for more than $200,000 in damages for medical expenses, lost wages and court fees.

Attorney Grey Chatham of Belleville is representing Simmons.

St. Clair County Circuit Court Case No. 12-L-71