Ravenswood woman says Putnam contractor provided unsafe workplace

WINFIELD – A Jackson County woman claims a Putnam County contractor didn't provide a safe workplace, and seeks damages after being injured on the job.

Melinda L. Pollock of Ravenswood filed the lawsuit against G&G Builders of Scott Depot on Jan. 25 in Putnam Circuit Court.

In the suit, Pollock says she was working at the Wood County Airport as a carpenter for G&G Builders, which is owned by Gary Young.

On Feb. 13, 2004, she was injured while on the job.

She claims G&G was responsible for her health and welfare and that before the incident, she and several co-workers complained to G&G and to Young about the safety of several ladders and a lack of customary safety equipment.

"For example, the defendant's employees were required to work at height from ladders with no full protection rather than being provided with scaffolding or other appropriate equipment," Pollock says.

She says there was deliberate intent on G&G's part because she was injured because of unsafe work conditions and there were no common safety standards in place. That, she says, intentionally exposed her to unsafe working conditions.

In the suit filed by attorney James R. Akers III, Pollock says she suffered serious bodily injury and tremendous pain and suffering. She also says she has suffered loss of wages, loss of earning capacity, loss of the ability to enjoy life, humiliation, embarrassment, annoyance and inconvenience as well as other economic and non-economic damages.

She seeks compensatory damages, pre- and post-judgment interest, attorney fees, court costs and other relief.

Pollock requests a jury trial.

The case has been assigned to Circuit Judge Ed Eagloski.

Putnam Circuit Court case number: 06-C-26