James King v. Pitman Manufacturing Company, Inc., Power Equipment Leasing Company and CICS-Chicago, settles prior to trial for $3.55 Million
Strellis & Field, Chartered announces the first reported settlement against Pitman Manufacturing Company, Inc. for the defective design of the Pitman Polecat Derrick Digger Crane. The settlement in this case is believed to be one of the largest settlements in Kane County, Illinois for construction accidents causing traumatic brain injuries and was the largest reported settlement in Cook, DuPage, Will and Kane Counties for the second quarter of 2009.
On August 3, 2003, James King was working as a City of Aurora electrician in the process of installing a 50 foot aluminum light pole near the Fox Valley Mall in Aurora, Illinois. James, an experienced crane operator, was working with his partner using the crane to hold the aluminum pole in place while connecting the electrical wiring at ground level so that the light could be functional when fastened to the base.
Unexpectedly, a roll pin in the downhaul device failed causing the 40 lb. cast iron device to fall approximately 25 feet striking James on the head. James sustained a skull fracture and brain hematoma requiring an emergency craniotomy performed by Rasmis Ghaly, M.D. at Provena. Read More »
