Tognocchi v. Snorkle Economy

Outcome: $2,800,000 jury verdict

Description: Ron Tognocchi was the safety director at AAI Corporation in Hunt Valley, Maryland. An employee was injured while driving a Snorkle Economy man lift on a Monday. The Snorkle Economy representatives examined the machine on that Wednesday and declared the machine to be in acceptible condition. Mr. Tognocchi while driving the vehicle on Friday to check its safety unfortunately drove the machine in reverse down a slope and when he applied the brakes the machine bucked into the air killing Mr. Tognocchi. The jury determined the machine was improperly designed permitting this defective bucking and awarded Mrs. Tognocchi and her daughter compensation for their emotional pain and suffering and lost income.