LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (Legal Newsline) - Donald Stephens filed a lawsuit on September 27 in the Circuit Court of Pulaski County against Waste Management of Arkansas and affiliated companies.
According to the complaint, on Sept. 4, 2020, Stephens was employed as a driver for a trucking company that dumped waste materials at Two Pine Landfill and was a business invitee of the defendants when he entered the premises of the landfill.
There was a pit approximately 12 feet deep and was used for dumping loads carried to the landfill in tanker trucks. Defendants allegedly demanded that drivers back their tanker trucks to the edge of the pit so they did not spill anything on the ground.
On the day in question, Stephens complied with that demand and backed his truck close to the pit, which was half-full of sawdust at the time, the suit says. Stephens got out of his truck and walked around to the back of the truck to release his load, and when his handle gave suddenly, he was thrown off balance and fell feet first into the pit, he says.
One foot fell through the sawdust all the way to the bottom of the pit, causing injury, and sawdust also entered his eyes, mouth and ears, he says. Stephens later sought treatment for his injuries. Stephens alleges that it is the fault of the Waste Management company for knowing that the pit did not have safety features and for being negligent in installing any safety features that caused him personal injury.
Stephens seeks compensation for his damages, attorney's fees and cost of suit. Stephens is represented by Maximillian Sprinkle.
Circuit Court of Pulaski County Arkansas case number 60CV-21-6081