Jan 10, 2006 9:30 AM, from staff and wire reports

Kansas City-based warehousing firm and refrigerated transporter Lanter Co has filed a lawsuit against Gateway Cold Storage in Illinois' Madison County Circuit Court.

The suit charges Gateway with storing food as Lanter’s bailee Nov 18, 2001, when exposure to anhydrous ammonia damaged the food products. These contaminated products were property of the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) and were being transported, stored, and distributed as part of an agreement with Lanter and ISBE.

According to Lanter, it became liable under contract for the damages and paid or incurred $104,949.86 in damages to ISBE. Lanter contends Gateway negligently let ISBE-owned food become exposed to or tainted with anhydrous ammonia while in their possession; did not maintain its warehouse; and negligently operated a forklift, leading to the ammonia leak.

Lanter is pursuing a judgment for an amount of more than $104,949.86, plus legal costs.