Couple sues Heiner's Bakery, Sara Lee for work-related injury

HUNTINGTON -- A man and his wife are suing Heiner's Bakery and Sara Lee Corporation for a work-related injury.

Sara Lee Corporation Engineering Manager Jeff Barrett and 15 unknown individuals were also named in the suit.

On April 10, 2008, Ronald Smith was working at Heiner's Bakery with the pan system when it got jammed and backed up to the oven, according to a complaint filed March 4 in Cabell Circuit Court.

Smith claims he attempted to free the system as instructed, when one or more pans flew up and stuck him. He claims he and other workers had repeatedly warned the defendants of the safety problem on numerous occasions.

As a result of being struck in the face by the pans, Smith suffered multiple serious injuries, including a concussion, facial and dental injuries and injuries to his back, according to the suit.

Smith claims the defendants intentionally and deliberately exposed him to an unsafe working condition.

Smith and his wife, Amelia Smith, are seeking general and special damages. They are being represented by J. Patrick L. Stephens and Mark F. Underwood.

The case has been assigned to Circuit Judge F. Jane Hustead.

Cabell Circuit Court case number: 10-C-190