Houston, Texas (June 2, 2023) — On Tuesday, May 23rd, 2023, the law firm of Abraham, Watkins, Nichols, Agosto, Aziz & Stogner obtained a jury verdict for $9,864,571.54 jury verdict in Leflore County, Mississippi for two clients who lost a loved one as a result of a defective product manufactured and designed by Genie Industries, Inc.
The trial team consisted of managing partner Benny Agosto, Jr., along with attorneys Lena Laurenzo, and Jon Agosto along with Edward Blackmon, Jr. of Blackmon & Blackmon.
The product that failed was a TZ-34/20 Trailer Mounted Boom Lift. This boom lift has a platform that can elevate workers up to 34 feet in the air. The boom lift arm broke at a critical assembly point while Leflore County worker, Leroy Anthony, was in the work platform over 30 feet in the air. The work platform then crashed down to the ground, causing Mr. Anthony to sustain fatal injuries.
The Abraham Watkins trial team presented evidence that Genie Industries manufactured the boom lift without a critical safety part, a bushing that is supposed to prevent excessive friction at the critical assembly joint of the boom lift. As a result of the damage caused by the excessive friction, the upper and lower boom lift arms were able to separate and allow the work platform to fall. The evidence revealed that Genie Industries defectively designed the boom lift and that there were safer design alternatives available which Genie Industries was aware of and would have prevented the product failure. Evidence also revealed that Genie Industries failed to provide adequate warnings or instructions about the boom lift hazards, especially with regard to the safety component parts of the critical assembly joint.
After seven days of trial, the jury returned a unanimous verdict finding Genie Industries 90% at fault for the defective product and the damages claimed by the Anthony family. The verdict was returned after 1.5 hours of deliberation.
For questions regarding the lawsuit or interview requests, please contact Geoffrey Adkinson at [email protected] or 713-222-7211.
About Abraham, Watkins, Nichols, Agosto, Aziz & Stogner
Founded in 1951, Abraham, Watkins, Nichols, Agosto, Aziz & Stogner is one of the longest-standing personal injury law firms in Texas. Our distinguished history and reputation work to the advantage of each of our clients. We represent injured individuals in personal injury lawsuits because we enjoy helping people. Our clients come from many walks of life: from national sports figures and artists to working-class families dealing with catastrophic accidents. We put our dedication and resources behind each case we handle with the mission of obtaining the best resolution possible. Our clients receive some of the most experienced and successful legal representation in Houston, Texas. For more information, please visit www.abrahamwatkins.com