Court:	Circuit Court of Jackson County, Missouri
Case Number/Date:	03CV222997
Special Damages:	past medical expenses in excess of $193,790.58
Insurance Carrier:	Zurich American Insurance Company
Plaintiff’s Attorneys:	James Montee, The Montee Law Firm, P.C.,

An ironworker worker injured when a construction elevator malfunctioned has reached a $1,000,000.00 settlement of her case pending in the Circuit Court of Jackson County, Missouri.

Karen Chaffee, an ironworker foreman for Rebar, Inc., was injured on April 24, 2002, at a construction site at Heartland Health Hospital in St. Joseph, Missouri, when a construction elevator carrying Ms. Chaffee to the second floor of the project failed. The elevator fell to the bottom of the elevator shaft. The elevator was being operated by D.E. Contracting.

The Montee Law Firm’s investigation determined that Champion Elevator sent an improper part for the elevator. This fact was discovered prior to the installation of the part; however, the installer, LICO Steel, cut the part to make it fit. It was Ms. Chaffee’s position that this contributed to the elevator’s collapse. A LICO expert blamed wind conditions.

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