Date: 11-19-2004

Case Style: Jonathan Shaffer v. American Lifts

Case Number: Unknown

Judge: Unknown

Court: Circuit Court, Marion County, Alabama

Plaintiff's Attorney:

Thomas P. Melton, IV and Thomas P. Willingham of Alvis & Willingham, Birmingham, Alabama and William H. Atkinson of Fite, Davis, Atkinson, Guyton & Burt, P.C., Hamilton, Alabama

Defendant's Attorney: Unknown

Description:

The family and estate of Jonathan Shaffer, age 19, sued American Lifts on a products liability theory for his wrongful death. Mr. Shaffer had been working at Premodor, Inc. for just three weeks. Debris from Premodor's door manufacturing process had accumulated in a five-foot-deep pit. Mr. Shaffer shut down a hydraulic scissor lift manufactured by American Lifts that was used to lower doors into the pit. He claimed into the pit to remove the debris and while he was in the pit a hydraulic line on the lift ruptured lowering the lift into the pit and crushing him to death. He was survived by his wife and a four-week old daughter.

Outcome: Plaintiffs' verdict for $2.5 million.

Plaintiff's Experts: Unknown

Defendant's Experts: Unknown

Comments: None