Menards sued after plywood accident

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A Huron man who was paralyzed when sheets of plywood blew off a loading cart and struck him in the head at Menards in Mitchell has filed a lawsuit against the home-improvement retailer.

Ronald Jensen and his wife Bonita, filed a lawsuit against Menards late last month. According to their complaint, Ronald Jensen was injured Aug. 1 when Menards employees were moving sheets of plywood from their stock to his vehicle and lost control of the material in a gust of wind. The plywood struck Jensen in the head, the complaint says, causing “catastrophic injuries involving quadriplegia,” or paralysis of all four limbs.

Jensen is seeking damages for medical and therapeutic treatment, pain and suffering, and the permanent injury and disability he suffered as a result of the incident, the complaint says. No specific dollar amount is given.

Bonita Jensen is also seeking damages for the “catastrophic care” and “change of her relationship” with her husband because of the incident.

The couple is represented by attorney Scott G. Hoy, of Sioux Falls.

In its answer, Menards admits the incident occurred but denies any negligence on the part of the company and its employees. Menards is represented by attorney Lon J. Kouri, of Sioux Falls.

In its defense, the company claims Jensen “may have assumed the risk of his injuries,” which it says may have been caused by “intervening and superseding causes,” “act of god,” and that Jensen’s own negligence may have contributed to his injuries.

Menards has asked for the lawsuit to be dismissed.

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