$13.65 Million Jury Verdict for Injuries to Worker on Scissor Lift

George Petrosian was performing general repair work at an elevated parking system. While he was standing on a scissor lift, the lift’s work platform fell 25 feet, which caused him to suffer a torn ligament in his left ankle and bilateral torn rotator cuffs.

Petrosian, 72, underwent six surgeries and now suffers from complex regional pain syndrome and carpal tunnel syndrome.

Petrosian’s medical expenses were $500,000. He is no longer able to work and has incurred $100,000 in lost income. Petrosian and his wife sued the corporate property owners and one of the property owners individually, claiming that they chose not to maintain the scissor lift in proper working order. The Petrosian family alleged that the lift had been stored outside and became rusty and worn leading to its failure.

The lawsuit also alleged the failure to provide safe equipment in violation of state law and that the lift was missing required safety bars.

The trial judge granted the plaintiffs’ motion for summary judgment on liability. The jury, considering damages, signed a verdict for $13.65 million, including $10 million in punitive damages against both defendants.

The attorney representing the Petrosian family was Gil Zohar.

At trial, the Petrosian family attorney presented experts in pain management, orthopedic surgery and vocational rehabilitation. The defendants presented experts in life care planning, orthopedic surgery and radiology.

Petrosian v. B&A Warehousing Inc., No. 15209/12 (N.Y. Sup. Ct. Kings County).

Kreisman Law Offices has been handling work site injury lawsuits, construction injury cases, forklift injury lawsuits, truck accident cases and catastrophic injury lawsuits for individuals, families and loved ones who have been injured, harmed or killed by the carelessness or negligence of another for more than 40 years in and around Chicago, Cook County and its surrounding areas, including Clarendon Hills, Flossmoor, Olympia Fields, Schaumburg, Schiller Park, Evanston, Hoffman Estates, Lake Zurich, Chicago (Austin, North Lawndale, East Garfield Park, Washington Park, Irving Park, Rogers Park, Albany Park, Bronzeville, West Town, Lakeview), Rolling Meadows, Bridgeview, New Lenox, Lansing and Lemont, Ill.