Ameren sued by apprentice who fell 12 feet during lineman course

A St. Clair County woman claims she sustained severe injuries after she fell 12 feet during a course she was taking for an electric company.

Robbin Madden claims she was participating in a pre-apprentice lineman program at the East St. Louis Community College Center in June of 2012 when she was instructed to free climb without a safety harness. While doing so, Madden fell to the ground from a height of about 12 feet, according to the complaint filed June 28 in St. Clair County Circuit Court.

Because of the incident, Madden suffered serious injuries to her right ankle, left knee and back; incurred medical costs; suffered pain and discomfort; and lost income and her normal life, the suit states.

Madden blames Ameren Illinois Company for causing her injuries. It was in charge of running the program and should have known that climbing without appropriate gear could be dangerous, the complaint says. Madden also says the power company failed to properly instruct her on safe climbing procedures, instructed her to climb without the appropriate gear and failed to provide her with a safe place to work.

In her complaint, Madden seeks a judgment of more than $50,000, plus interest, post-judgment interest, costs and other relief the court deems just.

Joseph R. Hillebrand of Brown and Crouppen in St. Louis will be representing her.

St. Clair County Circuit Court case number: 13-L-330.