After a crucifix fell and caused him serious injury, a New York man is suing the church at which he worshipped.

When David Jimenez’s wife, Delia, was diagnosed with ovarian cancer he went to New York’s Church of St. Patrick in Newburgh to pray to at a large stone cross outside. In 2010, his wife went into remission and the 45-year-old was so grateful he wanted to repay the church in some way.

On Memorial Day of 2010, after getting special permission from a priest to clean the 600-pound statue, Jimenez began cleaning it. What he was not told however, was that the heavy marble statue was only held up by one screw and had long been neglected. While cleaning it, the statute came loose and fell on top of Jimenez when both he and the statue fell to the parking lot below. The crucifix crushed his leg.

The damage to his right leg was so severe it had to be amputated below the knee.

Though the congregation collected food and approximately $7,000 in cash donations for Jimenez and his family, his lawyer, Kevin Kitson has said the diocese’s insurance company has made it difficult to collect additional money.

Kitson has since filed a lawsuit claiming the church was negligent in allowing Jimenez to clean the statue.

Jury selection for the case is scheduled to begin on Wednesday, however, due to Hurricane Sandy, it may be postponed.

Jimenez truly believed his prayers at the statue saved his wife, but he had no idea the very statue he prayed to would leave him praying for a favorable outcome against the church.