$6,000,000 Settlement

Case Overview

Our client, a hardworking warehouse employee, suffered catastrophic injuries when a preventable hazard was ignored by management. Despite repeated reports of a sticky, slippery substance on the warehouse floor, the employer failed to take any corrective action. While operating a ride-on pallet jack to perform cleaning and maintenance duties, the worker lost control of the equipment and was crushed against shelving — resulting in life-altering internal injuries and permanent physical limitations.

Armstrong Lee & Baker LLP took on the case to hold the employer accountable for its negligence and disregard for worker safety. Through meticulous investigation, expert analysis, and relentless advocacy, our team proved that this tragedy could and should have been prevented. The case ultimately resolved for $6,000,000, ensuring that our client received the care, support, and financial security they deserved.

The Incident

A warehouse employee responsible for cleaning and maintenance suffered devastating injuries while operating a ride-on pallet jack. In the days leading up to the incident, the employee and others had repeatedly reported a sticky spill on the warehouse floor — a clear safety hazard that management failed to address.

While carefully maneuvering the pallet jack to collect recycling and trash bins, the worker’s equipment became stuck in the residue. The sudden jolt caused the pallet jack to lurch forward and crush the worker against nearby shelving. The impact left the employee trapped and gravely injured as bystanders struggled to move the heavy machinery.

The Injuries

The incident caused catastrophic, life-altering injuries, including:

• Multiple rib and lumbar spine fractures
• Internal organ damage
• Collapsed lung and severe internal bleeding

The worker required emergency surgery and extensive hospitalization to repair internal damage and stabilize their condition. Even after multiple procedures, they faced permanent physical limitations, chronic pain, and a long road of rehabilitation.

The Employer’s Failures

Despite multiple warnings from the injured worker and other employees, the company took no action to clean or cordon off the spill. Our investigation uncovered:

• Negligence: Failure to maintain safe working conditions and promptly remedy a known hazard
• Ignored Warnings: Supervisors were notified of the spill days before the incident but failed to act
• Training Gaps: Inadequate safety reinforcement regarding pallet jack operation in hazardous areas
• Regulatory Violations: Breaches of workplace safety and hazard-remediation standards

The Legal Strategy

Armstrong Lee & Baker LLP launched an aggressive investigation to expose the employer’s negligence. Our team obtained and analyzed internal safety reports, incident photos, and witness statements to establish a clear timeline of the company’s failure to act. We worked with leading experts in workplace safety, mechanical engineering, and medical prognosis to demonstrate how preventable this tragedy was.

By showing that the company knew about the danger and willfully ignored it, we built an irrefutable case of liability and damages.

The Outcome

Our firm secured a $6,000,000 settlement for our client — a result that not only provided the resources necessary for long-term medical care and financial stability, but also held the employer accountable for its blatant disregard of worker safety.

This case stands as a testament to Armstrong Lee & Baker’s relentless commitment to protecting injured workers and ensuring that preventable workplace hazards never go unanswered.