Plant operator says machine crushed his hand

CHARLESTON -- A plant operator claims his hand was crushed after a machine malfunctioned.

Paris J. Coleman filed suit July 16 in Kanawha Circuit Court against Chapman Technical Group LTD, Schreiber LLC, Schreiber Corporation Inc. and Breckenridge Corporation.

According to the complaint, Coleman was working at the wastewater treatment plant in Clay on Oct. 11, 2012, when the front wheel on an aeration bridge system situated on a north wastewater tank ran over his left hand.

Because of the incident, Coleman suffered a traumatic crushing injury to his hand involving fractures to his index, middle and ring fingers and amputation of the end of his ring finger, according to the complaint. He also experienced pain and suffering, lost income, incurred medical costs, endured an impaired earning capacity and lost his enjoyment of life, the suit states.

In his complaint, Coleman names the Chapman Technical Group, Schreiber Corporation and Breckenridge Corporation as defendants, saying they negligently designed and maintained aeration tanks and bridge systems and manufactured machines that were not safe for their intended uses.

Coleman is seeking an unspecified judgment, plus costs, attorneys’ fees and other relief the court deems just.

He is being represented by attorneys Robert M. Williams of Maroney, Williams, Weaver and Pancake in Charleston. The case has been assigned to Circuit Judge Louis H. Bloom.

Kanawha Circuit Court case number 14-C-1264