Man sues Scott Hutchison Enterprises for work injuries

HUNTINGTON -- A Huntington man is suing Scott Hutchison Enterprises after he says he was injured while working.

Gregory Donnally was employed as an auto mechanic by the defendant, which is doing business as Xpress Used Cars & Detailing, according to a complaint filed Aug. 5 in Cabell Circuit Court.

On April 22, 2009, Donnally claims he was ordered by Scott Hutchison, his supervisor, to climb a large ladder to install a vent in a concrete block wall by cutting the block with a grinder while standing on the ladder.

Donnally claims he informed Hutchison that he was an auto mechanic and not trained to perform carpentry tasks, but Hutchison informed him that he had to climb the ladder and perform the task because he "signed Donnally's paychecks."

Donnally claims he understood this to mean that if he did not do what Hutchison said, he would be fired from his employment.

While standing on the ladder, it broke, which caused Donnally to fall approximately 20 feet to the concrete surface below, according to the suit.

Donnally claims no one assisted him by holding the ladder or doing anything else to make the activity safe, no one provided him with safety equipment and that Hutchison was aware that he was not trained for the task.

The fall caused Donnally to sustain injuries when his face hit the concrete floor, pushing his nasal cavity into his brain, breaking multiple bones, and causing him to go into a coma, according to the suit.

Donnally claims the defendant failed to provide him with protection, proper equipment and training.

Donnally is seeking compensatory damages. He is being represented by Frank Venezia of Shaffer & Shaffer.

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

Cabell Circuit Court case number: 10-C-575