Menards Forklift Incident Leads To Civil Lawsuit

JOLIET, IL—An incident that occurred one year ago this week inside the Menards at 17441 Weber Road in Crest Hill has resulted in customer Donald O'Connell retaining a Joliet attorney to file a negligence lawsuit seeking more than $50,000 in damages against the Midwest home improvement retail chain .

According to the Law Offices of Lee Gunter, his client patronized the Crest Hill Menards on Aug. 21, 2019, and while O'Connell was inside the business, an unknown employee positioned a forklift directly behind O'Connell.

"One or more of the foregoing was a proximate cause of the plaintiff's injuries when the plaintiff tripped and fell over the blade of the forklift," Gunter's lawsuit informs Will County's judges.

"As a direct result of Defendant's negligence, the plaintiff was severely injured in his body and limbs; he suffered pain and anguish; and will in the future suffer pain and anguish, by reason of said injuries ... and will in the future expend and become liable for certain sums of money for medical and other professional help in attempting to become cured of his injuries."

The Joliet law firm asks that a Will County court issue a verdict in its client's favor for the sum of more than $50,000 plus the costs of bringing the lawsuit forward.

Representatives from Menards have yet to file a response to last week's lawsuit at the Will County Courthouse.