AUBURN – A former inmate is suing Androscoggin County Jail, claiming he was injured when he was forced to clean a light fixture.

William Baltrus, 43, of Livermore was serving a 90-day sentence for operating after revocation and being a habitual offender. He also was convicted of operating under the influence, with two priors, according to a court clerk.

A corrections officer forced Baltrus to clean a ceiling light fixture in a jail cell during his incarceration on July 27, 2005, his suit says.

According to the suit, Baltrus was not given a ladder, tools or any type of equipment that would “allow him to safely clean” the light.

He was only able to reach the fixture by climbing to an upper bunk and leaning out.

When he did so, he fell and was injured.

The suit, filed last week, claims the jail was negligent in not training and supervising workers who could have prevented the accident.

The lawsuit also says that corrections officers knew or should have known that the manner in which they ordered Baltrus to clean the light was “dangerous and placed plaintiff at risk of suffering personal injury.”

A spokesman for the county could not be reached for comment.