Monongalia man sues over Pa. work injury

MORGANTOWN - A Monongalia County man filed a suit against a company where he was injured while employed.

Richard Allen Thomas, of Wana, filed the suit Oct. 22 in Monongalia Circuit Court against ZDC Inc., formerly known as Zeni Drilling Company.

Zeni employed Thomas as a rig hand/laborer. Thomas was temporarily assigned to work at the Zeni drilling site at the Enlow Fork Mine in Greene County, Pennsylvania.

While working June 26, 2006, Thomas was positioned beneath a suspended drill rig derrick at the mine, while painting it. According to the suit, Thomas has to be beneath the suspended derrick in order to do his job.

While he was in the dangerous condition, the derrick fell, crushing Thomas between the rig and the crib block.

Thomas suffered severe damages to his right, dominant hand, severe fractures, contusions, lacerations and other diverse injuries.

According to the suit, Thomas claims Zeni's conduct in exposing him to unsafe working conditions was "deliberate intent."

Thomas seeks judgment against the company.

Attorney Avrum Levicoff is representing Thomas.

Monongalia Circuit Court case number 07-C-706