CROWN POINT | A fall at an East Chicago grocery store netted a Northlake, Ill., delivery man a civil judgment of more than $1.4 million in Lake County, the man's lawyer said Thursday.

John Rubino, 53, was working for Astro Trucking on Sept. 7, 2005, when he made a delivery to Fuertes Meat Market in East Chicago. M.C. Remodeling Construction Co. Inc. was building an addition to the market at the time, and Rubino fell through an unguarded hole in the floor, said Rubino's attorney, David Gladish, of Highland.

Rubino fell through to the basement, breaking his leg -- an injury that prompted two surgeries. Since the fall, Rubino hasn't been able to work as a truck driver, Gladish said.

A Lake Superior Court jury found Aug. 31 that Fuertes and M.C. Remodeling were at fault because they violated Occupational Safety and Health Administration requirements that all openings in the floor must have guards to ensure against such falls.

As a result of the jury finding, Lake Superior Court Judge John Pera ordered Fuertes Meat Market to pay Rubino $525,500 and M.C. Remodeling to pay Rubino $962,500.

Gladish said doctors have told Rubino the injury he suffered would require a hip replacement surgery.

A lawyer for Fuertes could not be reached for comment Thursday.