ALBANY, N.Y. — David Jimenez was so elated about his wife’s recovery from cancer that he offered to clean the large crucifix outside the Hudson Valley church where he spent hours praying for her to beat the disease. On Memorial Day 2010, he was scrubbing grime off the cross when the 600-pound marble statuary fell over, crushing his right leg.

The then-43-year-old immigrant from Mexico was flown to Westchester Medical Center, where doctors had to amputate his injured leg. He is suing the Roman Catholic church, and early next year his $3 million lawsuit is set to go to trial.