Primghar, Iowa — An Alton man who cleaned a pig barn near Archer in 2014 has received a $1.2 million jury award after he says he was overcome by fumes and is now unable to work.
Thomas Mook sued Patrick and Theresa Probst, T & P Farms and the company that they contracted with — Sunterra Farms, saying their negligence caused him to work in a building where there were high levels of hydrogen sulfide and other gasses. His attorney says Mook was overcome by these fumes, was unconscious for 15-30 minutes, and suffered two strokes resulting in brain damage. They say he had to undergo expensive medical treatment and therapy, and that he is now unable to work.
After a 13-day trial, an O’Brien County jury has decided that the fault was shared by Mook, Probst, and Sunterra Farms. They said that the incident was fifteen percent the fault of Mook himself, 50 percent the fault of Patrick Probst and 35 percent the fault of Sunterra Farms. The jury also said that Probst and Sunterra knew, or should have known the dangers of working in an environment where manure had been pumped and agitated and the facility had not been ventilated. They awarded Mook $ 1.2 million, due to medical expenses, pain and suffering, loss of earning capacity, and loss of mind and body.
