EDWARDSVILLE — A Bailey International employee is suing the manufacturer of commercial food preparation equipment, alleging her hand became mangled in a mixing machine.
Gloria Lopez filed a complaint Aug. 7 in the Madison County Circuit Court against American Food Equipment Company, alleging strict product liability and negligence.
According to the complaint, Lopez was working for Bailey International Inc. in Granite City on Feb. 28, 2019. She claims that while working with the ribbon blender machine, manufactured by American Food Equipment, and attempting to unclog the machine with her right hand, her hand was pulled into the machine.
She claims she suffered cuts, tears and mangling of her hand, causing her to suffer disfigurement and loss of use of her hand. Lopez claims she has incurred medical expenses due to her injuries including for surgery, hospitalization and treatment. She also claims she lost wages.
Lopez alleges in her complaint that American Food Equipment's machine has a defective design because it did not have "adequate interlocking power cutoffs" when safety guards are removed. She also alleges American Food Equipment failed to warn users of the risks when using the machine while the safety features are deactivated and to properly test and inspect its machines.
Lopez seeks monetary relief of more than $50,000, plus interest and all other just relief. She is represented by Lanny Darr of the Darr Law Offices LTD in Alton and Keith Short of Keith Short and Associates PC in Alton.
Madison County Circuit Court case number 20-L-00123