Madison County Circuit Judge William Mudge filed a discovery schedule in a lawsuit alleging a crew member was injured while working aboard a Mississippi River ship operator.
According to the Oct. 26 order, a jury trial is set for February 2018.
Justin Tonsor filed the lawsuit on June 30 against American River Transportation Company.
In his complaint, Tonsor claims he severely injured his back on July 11, 2013, when he attempted to lift a 35-foot wire cable while working on the defendant’s vessel M/V Miss Sheila near Granite City on the Mississippi River.
He claims the defendant failed to provide a safe place to work, failed to provide safe tools and equipment and failed to exercise its legal duty to use ordinary care.
American River Transportation Company (ARTCO) answered the complaint on Aug. 31 through attorneys James Mondl and John Fleming of Tonkin & Mondl LC in St. Louis.
The defendant denies the allegations against it and argues that any alleged injuries were caused by the plaintiff’s own negligence
Tonsor filed a reply to the affirmative defenses on Sept. 8 through attorney Roy Dripps of Armbruster Dripps Winterscheidt & Blotevogel in Maryville. He denied each and every allegation against him.
The plaintiff seeks a judgment of more than $50,000, plus court costs and other relief the court deems just.
Madison County Circuit Court case number 16-L-889