BELLEVILLE - A truck driver claims he was injured while operating the tie down system on a car hauler.
Jimmy D. Hill filed suit June 5 in St. Clair County Circuit Court against the manufacturer of the vehicle and the company he claims was responsible for maintenance.
Hill, who works for Jack Cooper Transport Company (JCT), is suing Cottrell Inc. and Camerloc Engineering and Manufacturing.
The plaintiff claims he "regularly loads, works in, and transports materials" in St. Clair County and Illinois for his employer.
According to the complaint, on June 8, 2018, Hill was allegedly "performing his normal work duties in Illinois as a car hauler for his employer."
"Plaintiff was injured during the operation of the ratchet tie down system while using the product in an intended or foreseeable fashion," the suit states.
Hill alleges the rig "lacked reasonably safe tie down designs" to prevent slippage, snagging or sudden release.
The plaintiff allegedly suffered "severe and permanent injuries to his left hand, arm, and related areas."
Further, the defendant Cottrell is accused of being aware that it was exposing the plaintiff and others to risk of injury.
Defendant CEM, which is reported to employ and train mechanics to inspect and repair the JCT trainers, allegedly "failed to review and analyze available injury and testing data available to defendant and the industry," according to the complaint.
Barbara Hill, the driver's wife, is also suing, claiming she "has been deprived of the support and services of her husband and has been unjustly exposed to the potential for financial ruin."
The plaintiffs seek more than $50,000 in damages and are represented by Brian M. Wendler of Wendler & Zinzilieta of Edwardsville.
St. Clair County Circuit Court case number 2020-L-0446