Arm Amputation
N/AOUTCOME: We received a jury verdict of $5M.
My client was mentally disabled and worked part-time at the local MHMR facility. His tasks included baling paper that was to be sent to a local recycling facility. The paper baler was owned and maintai ... ned by that facility as well. The machine was old, and the paper baler had disabled and overridden many of the safety features of the baler. The main safety feature that was overridden was the safety feature that would prevent the baler press from lowering if the door was open. My client's arm was unfortunately caught in the press and fully amputated. We were able to show at trial that the recycling company knew of the dangerous condition of the machine and never attempted to fix it—instead only continuing to override and workaround problems as they arose.
