WRB Refining sues Keeley Construction claiming power loss cost $1M

A refinery has filed suit against the construction company that it claims allowed its crane to fall onto power lines, shutting off power to the refinery.

WRB Refining claims defendant L. Keeley Construction Company and Drilling Service Company failed to properly supervise an excavation for a new power facility. In turn, a mobile crane fell into the excavation and came into contact with power lines, which caused a sudden shutdown of power to WRB Refining’s plant, according to the complaint filed Aug. 28 in Madison County Circuit Court.

“Due to the loss of electric power to the refinery, WRB Refining was damaged in excess of $1,000,000,” the suit states.

WRB Refining is blaming L. Keeley Construction Company for causing its monetary loss, saying it negligently failed to properly protect an excavation from collapse, failed to keep the crane a safe distance from the excavation to prevent a cave-in and failed to keep the crane’s boom from contacting nearby power lines, among other negligent acts.

In its complaint, WRB Refining is seeking damages in excess of $2 million, plus costs.

Peter C. John and Anders J. Watson of Williams, Montgomery and John in Chicago and Michael J. Nester and Sean K. Cronin of Donovan, Rose and Nester in Belleville will be representing it.

Madison County Circuit Court case number: 13-L-1472.