HUNTINGTON – Two men claim they were seriously injured when the scaffolding on which they were working collapsed, causing them to fall.
Timothy Reed and Franklin Carns filed two seperate lawsuits Sept. 2 in Cabell Circuit Court against Keystone Waterproofing Inc., Allegheny Design Services and Hager Construction.
Reed and Carns claim they were working on suspended scaffolding on Oct. 9, 2007, for Keystone at the Sidney Christie Federal Building in Huntington.
"During that same time, the scaffolding system, including the parapet wall the scaffolding was connected to, failed causing the scaffolding and Plaintiff to fall resulting in serious injuries and damages to the Plaintiff," the suits state.
Because of their falls, Reed and Carns suffered permanent injury, incurred medical expenses, suffered an impaired capacity to earn income and lost his ability to enjoy life, the complaint says.
Even though Reed and Carns filed workers' compensation claims, they are still seeking damages from Keystone because they say their injuries were the result of deliberate intent by Keystone.
"The specific unsafe working conditions presented a high degree of risk and strong probability of serious injury or death for Keystone's employees working at the Sidney Christie Federal Building," the suits state.
Before the incident, Keystone hired defendant Allegheny to provide an analysis of the effects of the parapet clamp system it would be using for the scaffolding, according to the complaints. Reed and Carns blame Allegheny for negligently analyzing the structure.
During the course of its work on the building, Keystone was a subcontractor for defendant Hager, which was the prime contractor at the site. Reed and Carns blame Hager for failing to provide subcontractors with a safe place to work.
In each of the three-count suits, Reed and Carns are seeking unspecified damages, plus attorney's fees, costs and pre-judgment interest.
Bert Ketchum of Greene, Ketchum, Bailey, Walker, Farrell and Tweel in Huntington will be representing them.
Cabell Circuit Court case numbers: 09-C-713 and 09-C-714
Two men file suits for Federal Building scaffold collapse
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