A Missouri couple is suing over injuries the husband allegedly suffered when a backhoe he was operating struck an electrical line.
Donald "Joe" and Jennifer Chick filed the suit on Jan. 15 in Madison County Circuit Court against Ameren Illinois Company, doing business as Ameren Transmission Co. of Illinois, and Premier Utility Services LLC.
According to the complaint, on Jan. 18, 2014, Joe Chick was operating a backhoe to uncover and repair an underground sewer line at 112 Riverwoods Cove in East Alton. While using the backhoe, the plaintiff struck an electrical line that was owned, operated and maintained by Ameren, the suit alleges.
Before the accident, Premier was employed to locate and mark all underground lines across the entire property, the lawsuit says. In addition, the plaintiff had informed the defendants of his plans to excavate, but the defendants did not record the notice and so did not mark the property, the suit says.
As a result of the excavation, the plaintiff came into contact with a live electrical line and he was electrocuted. Among the damages he allegedly suffered were: neurological dysfunction, body aches, erectile dysfunction, high blood pressure, irritability, insomnia and nightmares.
Jennifer Chick is suing over loss of consortium due to her husband's injuries.
The plaintiffs seek judgments against both defendants of $50,000 for each count against them, court costs and a trial by jury. They are represented by Mark R. Bahn of St. Louis.
Madison County Circuit Court case number 16-L-61