A man injured when cleaning a stove at work has sued the owners of the business.
Jesus Mena filed a complaint on May 27 in Cook County Circuit Court against Carl Buddig and Co.
According to the complaint, on Aug. 10, 2013, Mena was working, through independent contractor Infinity, at the defendant's location, 50 W. Taft Drive, South Holland, where industrial-size ovens are run and require regular cleaning and maintenance. Mena was injured at one point, according to the lawsuit, "while cleaning an industrial oven ... when a clogged drain exploded, dousing his face in chemicals."
The suit cites the defendant for failing to: label chemicals in accordance with the Occupational Safety and Health Administration; train workers in accordance with standards; provide training materials in a language that workers could understand; provide safe chemicals to use; give warning of unsafe chemicals; provide protection to workers; implement emergency procedures; provide an emergency eye washing station; provide medical services; let chemicals accumulate in the drain in an unsafe manner; provide a safe workplace; and keep unsafe chemicals away from employees.
The plaintiff cites pain and suffering, medical expenses, disfigurement, and lost time, earnings and normal life.
Mena seeks damages and legal costs. He is represented by attorney Thomas J. Power of Cooney and Conway in Chicago.
Cook County Circuit Court case number: 2015L005385.