A worker allegedly injured by a lifting hook at work and his wife are suing the hook's manufacturer.
Timothy and Cindy Saunders filed a lawsuit May 7 in Cook County Circuit Court against Doka USA, alleging negligence.
According to the complaint, on June 11, 2014, Timothy Saunders worked as a construction worker for Adjustable Forms, doing work at 28 N. Franklin Ave., Chicago, when "the framework separated from the Doka Frami lifting hook, falling to the ground and striking the plaintiff."
The suit alleges Doka was negligent for: designing the lifting device with a faulty latch; making the device so the latch wouldn't work; and designing the hook so the lifting ring directly attaches to crane hooks. The defendant also is cited for failing to: warn that the hook shouldn't be used with a spring clip hook; warn the forms don't land evenly; not making complete instructional materials; not warning the devices can only be used with securely clipped or locked hooks; and not warning of the danger in certain situations.
As a result, Saunders sustained injuries, pain and suffering, loss of a normal life and medical expense, the suit says.
Timothy Saunders seeks damages in excess of $100,000, plus costs. His wife, citing loss of consortium, seeks damages in excess of $50,000, plus costs. They are represented by attorney Joseph P. Sorce of Goldberg, Weisman and Cairo in Chicago.
Cook County Circuit Court case number 2015L004724.