EDWARDSVILLE — A Madison County man is suing Phillips 66, alleging an unsafe work environment caused him to suffer from illness and infection.
James Mason filed a lawsuit Sept. 2 in Madison County Circuit Court against Phillips 66 Company, WRB Refining LP doing business as Conoco Phillips Wood River Refinery, alleging negligence in failing to provide a safe place to work.
According to the complaint, on Sept. 5, 2014, Mason was employed by Grave Tank Company as a boilermaker at Conoco Phillips Wood River's facility near Roxana. While working, the suit says, liquid from a leaking tank fell down upon Mason and onto the ground.
The lawsuit states the liquid to which Mason was exposed contained bacteria that led to the plaintiff contacting Legionnaire's disease, an infection to his lungs, causing him to suffer serious and permanent injuries. The plaintiff alleges the defendants failed to conduct inspections to determine that the liquid coming from the tank was safe and failed to warn that Mason might be exposed to a dangerous toxic bacteria while working.
Mason seeks trial by jury, compensation of more than $50,000, plus court costs.
He is represented by attorney Eric Kirkpatrick of Kirkpatrick Law Offices PC in Belleville.
Madison County Circuit Court case number 16-L-1249