EAST ST. LOUIS - On Jan. 18, jurors in U.S. district court awarded $13,045,776 to former forklift operator Adelaida Anderson of Effingham, who lost a leg after her forklift crushed it.
District Judge Stephen McGlynn presided over the re-trial two years the original trial ended with a verdict for forklift manufacturer Raymond Corporation.
Seventh Circuit appellate judges vacated the previous verdict last year, finding McGlynn improperly excluded testimony of safety expert John Meyer.
The appellate court set aside a rule that a different judge must preside at a second trial.
Meyer testified for about two hours on Jan. 9 and about four hours on Jan. 10, stating Raymond could design a forklift with a door that would have protected Anderson.
Anderson testified for 40 minutes on Jan. 11, and her late husband Jeff testified for about two hours by video deposition.
Jurors heard final arguments on Jan. 17 and deliberated four hours the next day.
They found the forklift contained an unreasonably dangerous condition when it left Raymond’s control, and the condition proximately caused Anderson’s injury.
They awarded $2 million each for disfigurement, loss of normal life, risk of future harm, pain, and emotional distress.
They awarded $870,776 for past medical expenses, $675,000 for past and future wage loss, and $1,300,000 for future medical expenses and household services.
They awarded $200,000 to Jeff’s estate for loss of consortium and companionship.