$48 Million Verdict: Millwright’s Catastrophic Spinal Cord Injury at ArcelorMittal Burns Harbor
A millwright working at the ArcelorMittal Burns Harbor steel mill suffered a catastrophic spinal cord injury in November of 2004, after falling from an affixed ladder on the degasser turret assembly. This life-changing incident ultimately resulted in paraplegia, permanent disability, and life-altering consequences for both the worker and his family.
Allen Law Group secured a $48 million jury verdict, $40 million for the injured worker and $8 million for his wife for loss of consortium, reflecting the severity of the harm and the long-term impact of the injury.
How the Incident Happened
The millwright was performing maintenance work on the turret assembly of the degasser unit. To access the area, he used the ladder permanently attached to the platform. During the climb, a chunk of excess refractory material broke loose from the ladder surface causing him to fall.
The material, gunnite and other refractory coatings, had been applied by Minteq International, Inc., a contractor responsible for spraying refractory products on and around the snorkels of the degasser turret. Their overspray coated the ladder and surrounding components, creating a dangerous buildup that compromised the ladder’s safety.
When the excess material detached, Anthony fell and sustained his devastating spinal cord injury.
Parties Involved
- Anthony – Millwright for ArcelorMittal
- ArcelorMittal – Employer and operator of the Burns Harbor steel mill
- Minteq International, Inc. – Contractor responsible for applying refractory coatings
- Sarah – Anthony’s wife, who brought a consortium claim
Cause and Fault Determination
Evidence showed that Minteq:
- Applied excessive refractory material to the snorkels and surrounding areas
- Allowed overspray to coat the turret assembly, including the ladder workers relied on
- Knew the ladder was routinely used for access
- Failed to prevent hazardous buildup on critical climbing surfaces
The jury assessed 50% fault to Minteq and 50% fault to ArcelorMittal, recognizing both the unsafe conditions created by the contractor and the employer’s role in maintaining a safe work environment.
Allen Law Group’s Case Preparation
To demonstrate the full scope of the injury and its long-term consequences, Allen Law Group:
- Retained a life-care planning expert to outline future medical and support needs
- Engaged specialists in safety analysis, biomechanical engineering, biomedical engineering, and mechanical engineering
- Conducted a detailed review of the ladder, turret assembly, refractory application process, and fall mechanics
- Documented the worker’s permanent paraplegia, disfigurement, and lifelong disability
This comprehensive preparation helped the jury understand both the cause of the fall and the profound impact of the injury.
The Outcome
The jury awarded:
- $40 million to Anthony for his injuries
- $8 million to Sarah for loss of consortium
Total verdict: $48 million
The verdict reflects the seriousness of the spinal cord injury, the permanent loss of mobility, and the extensive future care required.
Standing Up for Injured Workers in Indiana and Illinois
Allen Law Group represents injured workers in communities across Indiana and Illinois. When negligence leads to catastrophic injury, our attorneys fight for accountability, and the financial support families need to rebuild their lives.
If you or a loved one has suffered a serious injury due to unsafe conditions or negligent conduct, you are welcome to contact Allen Law Group for a free initial consultation. You pay nothing until we win.
Each matter is different so that past results are not predictive of future outcomes. Jury verdicts reflect the gross amount returned by the jury after trial, not reduced by comparative fault, post-trial alteration, remittitur, vacatur, or judicial alteration of the jury’s verdict.
Click here to read the NWI times story on this case
Allen Law Group helps victims in steel mill accidents and work-related injuries in Warsaw, Chicago, Gary, Hammond, Joliet and anywhere in Illinois and Indiana.
