$9 Million to Worker Paralyzed by Caterpillar Tractor

Man paralyzed from the waist down due to defective Caterpillar tractor

Bloomberg reports Caterpillar has paid more than $9 million in one of last year’s largest product liability verdicts involving a man who was paralyzed by a Caterpillar tractor.

The 41-year-old worker was using a Caterpillar Wheel Tractor 623 G Scraper in August, 2006, when the machine “suddenly and without warning began dramatically bouncing up and down.”  The bucking caused the man’s seat to fail and slammed him against the machine’s frame causing spinal injuries and a punctured lung.  He is now paralyzed from the waist down.

The lawsuit claims Caterpillar was aware of the tractors’ defects that made them move erratically, but did nothing to fix them.  The jury found both Caterpillar and Holt Texas Ltd., the dealership that sold the scraper to the man’s employer, liable for actual and punitive damages.

Whether you are using a household appliance, heavy agricultural or industrial machinery, your car, sporting equipment, or even a toy, you should be able to trust that the product you are using is safe and that you have been given proper warning of any risks the product poses.  If you or a loved one has been injured by a defective product, contact an experienced Pennsylvania product liability lawyer at Munley, Munley & Cartwright right away at 1-800-318-5291 or online for a free evaluation on your case.