In recently filed court documents, a man claims he sustained debilitating injuries to his spinal column when a pipe collapsed on him as he was attempting to repair it.
Richard Morris filed a lawsuit Feb. 25 in Madison County Circuit Court against United States Steel Corporation – Granite City Works doing business as U.S. Steel and Thomas Munzert.
In his complaint, Morris alleges he was working as a steamfitter to help repair a water line at U.S. Steel on April 9, 2011. While Morris was working on a pipe, it gave way, causing him to suffer serious injuries, according to the complaint.
In addition to his debilitating spinal column injuries, incurred medical costs, lost wages, suffered excruciating pain and mental anguish and became physically and emotionally disabled, the suit states. In addition, he incurred medical costs, the complaint says.
Morris blames U.S. Steel and its employee, Munzert, for causing his injuries, saying it negligently failed to keep the premises safe, failed to conduct inspections of the piping system and the premises, failed to adequately warn Morris of the piping problems, failed to provide him with a safe place to work, failed to provide adequate instructions to Morris and allowed Morris to work in an area where it knew of dangerous piping.
In his complaint, Morris seeks a judgment of more than $350,000, plus costs.
Grey Chatham of Chatham and Baricevic in Swansea will be representing him.
Madison County Circuit Court case number: 13-L-289
Man says pipe collapse led to spinal injury
ORGANIZATIONS IN THIS STORY