EDWARDSVILLE – A US Steel employee claims he suffered amputation after he was injured by an exploding tire while working in Granite City.
Plaintiff Joshua Perkins filed the lawsuit in the Madison County Circuit Court against Balkrishna Industries, LTD, BKT USA, Inc., BKT Tires, Community Wholesale Tired Dis., Inc., Community Tire Company, Inc., also known as Community Retreading, and Pomp's Tire Service, Inc., citing negligence.
According to the lawsuit, Perkins was employed as a coil hauler operator working for US Steel at a Granite City facility. Perkins states that on July 7, 2021, he was at work when he climbed aboard the coil hauler and one of the tires exploded. The incident caused him to be thrown off the catwalk of the hauler and onto the ground. Perkins claims that his injuries were so serious, that they required amputation.
The tire that exploded was allegedly manufactured, marketed, distributed, retreaded and installed by the defendants.
The lawsuit states that the defendants were negligent in designing, manufacturing and distributing a tire that would explode during its ordinary and intended use and failing to provided warnings of the dangers of the tires.
Perkins alleges that as a result of the defendants' negligence, he has sustained permanent bodily injuries, which have caused him to experience disability, disfigurement, pain, suffering, mental anguish, and will impact his ability to earn income and lead a normal life. He adds that he has incurred medical expenses and will continue to require the services of medical staff to recover.
The plaintiff is seeking damages in excess of $50,000, plus court costs and any other relief the court deems proper. He is represented in this case by attorney Gregory L. Shevlin of Cook, Bartholomew, Shevlin, Cook & Jones, LLP in Belleville.
Madison County Circuit Court case number 2023LA000947