Flying Debris Injures Highway Worker

A highway construction worker and his wife have filed a personal injury suit seeking damages in excess of $700,000, alleging that he suffered injuries because of a flying piece of debris.

According to the suit filed by Craig and Colette Poettker in Illinois’ St. Clair County Circuit Court on February 26, Craig Poettker was working in a construction zone on Highway 161 on March 2, 2007 when he was struck by debris.

The flying debris came from an accident in which Joseph Courtney crashed through a barricade after attempting to change lanes in the construction zone.

When the accident took place, Courtney was working for Helitech and driving the vehicle of William Courtney.

Craig Poettker alleges that the debris striking him caused him to suffer severe and permanent injuries to his head and leg and experience great pain of the mind and body, mental anguish, medical expenses, lost wages, and lost ability to attend to the ordinary affairs of life.

Colette Poettker claims the loss of her husband’s consortium and society.

The suit alleges negligence on the part of Joseph Courtney for exceeding a speed of 35 miles per hour, failure to reduce his speed, speeding in a construction zone in which workers were present, failure to maintain a proper lookout, and failure to maintain proper control of his vehicle.

The suit alleges negligence on the part of Helitech through its hiring of Joseph Courtney, who had a history of speeding violations.

The suit alleges negligence on the part of William Courtney for allowing Joseph Courtney to drive his vehicle.