EAST ST. LOUIS - An Illinois man has filed a federal lawsuit alleging he trapped by a coil slitter while working at a steel processing facility in Granite City.
Delancey Smith alleges that he "suffered severe and extensive injuries" while using a coil slitter line made by Pro-Eco on Nov. 12, 2020.
"While Plaintiff was working with the coil slitter, the coil slitter’s 'pusher plate' failed to return to the proper position," the suit states. " In an effort to correct the failure, plaintiff’s coworker engaged the coil slitter while plaintiff was between the steel coil and the coil slitter’s bearing arm."
The coworker "unintentionally engaged the coil slitter’s bearing arm, trapping and crushing plaintiff between the bearing arm and the coil slitter," Smith alleges.
"Plaintiff’s coworker immediately tried to retract the bearing arm on the coil slitter, but the arm failed to retract," the suit states.
Smith allegedly remained trapped until a "total machine reset was performed."
The plaintiff claims the equipment had a defective design.
"It was unfit, unsafe, and unreasonably dangerous when used as intended," Smith alleges.
"Plaintiff suffered severe, permanent, and disabling bodily injuries resulting in substantial medical bills," the suit states. "Plaintiff has suffered and will continue to suffer severe physical and emotional pain and mental anguish."
Smith seeks compensation in excess of $75,000, plus court costs and all other relief the court deems just. He is represented by Patrick McPhail of The Simon Law Firm PC in St. Louis.
Smith v. SMS Group, f/k/a Pro-Eco, Ltd. U.S. District Court, Southern District of Illinois, 3:22-cv-01303