EDWARDSVILLE - A shipyard worker claims he was carrying a tool bucket when he tripped over items scattered on a work flat due to poor lighting.
The lawsuit was filed in the Madison County Circuit Court by a man named Dwain Burnham against Mike's Inc. Burnham alleges he tripped and fell due to poor lighting at his workplace, fracturing his wrist. The incident took place on March 12, 2021, while Burnham was employed by Mike's Inc. at its shipyard on the Upper Mississippi River at South Roxana.
Burnham claims he was carrying another employee’s tool bucket on the deck of a work flat beneath the aft end of a customer vessel when he tripped over torch lines, rope buckets, and other equipment which posed trip hazards. He further states that the area was poorly lit, making it difficult to see these hazards.
As a result of the fall, Burnham claims he fractured his right wrist and suffered complex regional pain syndrome. He claims his injury required surgical implantation of a neuro-stimulator. Other alleged injuries include damage to his vision, rendering him legally blind and injuries to his brain, spinal cord, peripheral nerve system among others.
The plaintiff is seeking judgment in his favor for an amount deemed fair and sufficient under the circumstances, together with costs of suit and any other relief the court deems just. He is represented by Roy Dripps of Armbruster Dripps Blotevogel LLC.
Madison County Circuit Court case number 24-LA-312