(CHICAGO) An employee of a south suburban packaging company who lost his hand while operating a scrap baler in May is suing the machine’s manufacturer.
Stanton Simmons filed the suit Monday in Cook County Circuit Court against Balemaster, a company based in Crown Point, Ind.
Stanton was working as a dye cutter at Alsip-based Accord Carton on May 15 when the baler’s wire became jammed, the suit said. As he attempted to re-thread the wire, Stanton claims, his hand got caught and was amputated.
He blames Balemaster for making the scrap baler without guards at points where someone could likely come in contact with the wire. The suit claims there was no way to unjam the machine without “the unreasonable risk of limbs being caught and/or amputated.”
The machine also had no shut-off switch near the area where someone would access the baler wire, the suit said.
Stanton claims he has suffered permanent injuries and cannot live life as he previously did.
The two-count suit claims negligence against Balemaster and is asking for more than $100,000.
Balemaster could not immediately be reached for comment.
