A man is suing a national truck leasing firm for allegedly leasing him a vehicle with faulty brakes.
Paulo Hernandez filed a complaint June 24 in Cook County Circuit Court against Penske Truck Leasing Co.
On July 2, 2013, Hernandez was directed by his employer, Office Furniture Resources, to retrieve a truck rented from the defendant's Elk Grove Village location. According to the lawsuit, the truck was discovered, despite an inspection, to be faulty, in that it "seemed to drift on an incline even when the air brake was engaged." A day later, while Hernandez was operating the truck, the brakes failed and it collided with a bridge.
The defendant is cited for carelessness and negligence for providing the plaintiff with a truck with faulty brakes and failing to inspect its vehicle, establish procedures to inspect vehicles, make this inspection when it should have known not doing so was necessary, and warn the plaintiff about the truck's insufficient braking system.
As a result, the plaintiff suffered injuries, pain and suffering, and medical expenses.
The plaintiff seeks damages in excess of $100,000, plus costs. The plaintiff is represented by Steven M. Gleason of Nilson, Stookal, Gleason and Caputo Ltd. in Chicago.
Cook County Circuit Court case number 2015L006425.