Former employee sues Kroger for work-related injuries

CHARLESTON — A former employee is suing the Kroger Company after he was injured at work.

Jason Skaggs was a stock person for the Kroger Company on Harper Road in Beckley.

On May 4, 2008, Skaggs was performing work in the loading dock area, which included moving and separating grocery shipments on pallets using motorized electric walk-behind pallet trucks, according to a complaint filed May 3 in Kanawha Circuit Court.

Skaggs claims in order to complete the work he was required to move a motorized pallet truck that was blocking access to a loading dock bay door.

Under the full direction, approval and supervision of the defendant, Skaggs attempted to move the pallet truck away from the bay door when the pallet truck suddenly accelerated and sped toward him, according to the suit.

Skaggs claims the malfunctioning pallet truck continued accelerating after he let go of the operating handle and caused him to sustain injury to his right foot.

The defendant was responsible for maintain the pallet truck in a reasonably safe condition and failed to do so, according to the suit.

Skaggs is seeking compensatory damages. He is being represented by Robert B. Warner and William B. Hicks.

The case has been assigned to Circuit Judge Charles King.

Kanawha Circuit Court case number: 10-C-813