Jury Verdict for $331,000 in Negligent Operation of a Crane That Injured Worker

Robert Howard was a 55-year-old truck driver when he arrived at a Nucor-Yamato Steel Co. facility to transport steel machine equipment. His flatbed tractor trailer was directed to a loading area where a Nucor employee was operating the crane to be used for loading the equipment onto Howard’s flatbed truck.

The Nucor employee positioned the load parallel to and partially above the trailer. While Howard attempted to place wood dunnage, a securing device, into the proper position on the trailer, the Nucor employee unexpectedly moved the 50,000-pound load, causing it to strike the dunnage. This forced Howard off the trailer. He suffered a compression fracture to his left heel bone as a result of his fall.

Howard underwent surgery and continues to have problems with mobility and pain. He has not returned to his job, in which he has been paid $22,600 per year. He has incurred medical expenses of about $46,000.

Howard filed a lawsuit against Nucor claiming negligent training, vicarious liability and failure to warn of the dangerous conditions. The defendant argued that Howard had walked off the trailer on his own and that the crane operator never moved the load that allegedly caused Howard’s fall and subsequent injuries.

The jury entered a verdict $331,600 finding Howard 13% responsible for his own injuries.

The attorneys representing Robert Howard were Brandon Lacy and Tony Wilcox.

Howard v. Nucor-Yamato Steel Co., No. 2:14-cv-00092 (E.D. Ark.).

Kreisman Law Offices has been handling work site injury cases, forklift injury cases, crane operation injuries, construction injuries, work injuries and truck accident cases for individuals and families who have been harmed, injured or died as a result of the carelessness or negligence of another for more than 40 years in and around Chicago, Cook County and its surrounding areas, including Highwood, Fort Sheridan, Lake Bluff, Gurnee, South Holland, Barrington, Round Lake Beach, Fox River Grove, Elk Grove Village, Arlington Heights, Orland Park, Worth, Highland Park, Lake Forest, Glencoe, Glenview, Northfield and Northbrook, Ill.