BELLEVILLE — A waste water treatment operation is accused of locating its dumping site near high voltage power lines after a man was shocked while unloading a tanker truck.
Jon Orelt filed a complaint Nov. 18 in the St. Clair County Circuit Court against Ameren Illinois Company and Sauget Sanitary Development & Research Association, doing business as American Bottoms, alleging negligence.
According to the suit, American Bottoms owned and maintained high voltage overhead power lines near a liquid waste dump owned by Sauget Sanitary, where Orlet was unloading a tanker truck for his employer Illini Environmental on Sept. 22. Orelt alleges in his complaint that while unloading the tanker, he was shocked and thrown from the top of the truck. He was allegedly burned and paralyzed.
Orelt alleges he has suffered permanent pain, mental anguish, disability and disfigurement as a result of the alleged incident.
Orelt claims that American Bottoms is negligent for its "willful and wanton misconduct" and for locating its dumping operation where trucks would have to park "in dangerous proximity" to the high voltage lines. He also claims American Bottoms "had actual knowledge" that workers would be at high risk of electrocution or shock at this location.
Orelt seeks monetary relief of more than $75,000 and all other just relief. He is represented by Thomas Keefe, Jr., of Keefe, Keefe & Unsell PC in Belleville.
St. Clair County Circuit Court case number 20-L-0934