The maker of a hydraulically operated ‘picker’ lift agreed to pay a settlement of $1.2 million to an employee of Best Buy in Bloomingdale, IL, who fell from the lift platform while retrieving a TV from an elevated storage area in the store in 2008.
The plaintiff, Christopher Connors, had a safety belt around his waist that was supplied by Big Joe Manufacturing Company, which designed and manufactured the lift. But the belt was loose and slipped off over his head when he fell from the platform.Connors, who was 29 at the time, suffered severe spine and back injuries. The lawsuit alleged Big Joe, the defendant, was negligent in that it failed to mandate the use of a full body harness as a fall protection system and provided Best Buy with unsafe instructions and warnings.
“Had the defendant provided a full body harness as it was required to do if sold in Canada, it is unlikely Mr. Connors would have suffered this type of injury,” said Corboy & Demetrio lawyer Edward G. Willer who represents Connors.
The case is #10L7060, Christopher Connors v. Big Joe Manufacturing Company, filed in Cook Co. Circuit Court; Judge Donald P. O’Connell (Ret.).