Worker blames firms for severe leg injury

ST. MARYS — A Wetzel County man has filed suit against two companies for injuries incurred in a 2014 Ohio workplace incident that left him a partial amputee.

Patrick Barger sued GAP Entech Inc., based in Pennsylvania, and Niagara Worldwide LLC, based in Wisconsin, on March 4 in Pleasants Circuit Court, claiming willful negligence and safety infringement.

The plaintiff was working on site in Hannibal, Ohio, for his employer GAP Entech, which does business in Pleasants County. GAP Entech had contracted to perform work at Niagara’s facility, Ormet Aluminum Smelter.

According to court documents, Barger’s leg was injured by a large falling steel pipe at the Ohio facility on Dec. 31, 2014. He underwent an emergency leg amputation after being diagnosed with compartment syndrome, a potentially life-threatening condition in which pressure builds up and damages tissue.

Following surgery and rehabilitation, the plaintiff was fitted for a prosthetic leg but was unable to resume work at his regular job, according to the filing.

Barger claims that training, safety procedures and routine assessments were overlooked and he was made to work in an unsafe environment. The suit states that both defendants violated safety law and industry standards.

Alleging past and future pain, suffering and mental anguish, as well as loss of income, enjoyment of life and earning capacity, Barger seeks damages for ongoing medical expenses, suffering and distress, plus attorneys’ fees and costs.

He is represented in the case by David A. Sims of Vienna. The case has been assigned to Judge Timothy L. Sweeney.

Pleasants Circuit Court case number: 15-C-5