Forklift accident results in lawsuit

POINT PLEASANT – A man is suing his employer and a forklift company for injuries he allegedly suffered in a work-related accident.

Charles Givens filed a lawsuit Jan. 26 in Mason Circuit Court against Constellium Rolled Products Ravenswood and Hyster-Yale Materials Handling Inc.

According to the complaint, on March 3, 2014, Givens was operating a Hyster-Yale Materials Handling forklift while employed by Constellium Rolled Products Ravenswood. As he was proceeding over the rail tracks, the suit states, the front forks struck the rails, causing Givens to strike his head on the windshield and causing him to become paralyzed.

The defendants negligently created unsafe working conditions, the suit states, which created a high degree of harm to Givens and the defendants failed to provide proper forklift training.

Givens says he suffered permanent injuries due to the accident.

He seeks damages for injuries sustained, along with interest and costs. Givens is represented by attorney William M. Tiano of Tiano O'Dell in Charleston.

Mason Circuit Court case number: 15-C-11