Alabama Injury Attorneys Blog

A Wilson County jury recently awarded 23-year-old Sam Rollings with $1.6 million verdict after he sustained a serious on-the-job injury.

Rolling was working for the Fredonia Cooperative Association in Fredonia, Kansas back in January, 2007. While cleaning out a grain bin, Rollings slipped and fell which caused his right foot and ankle to get caught in the drag chain of a conveyor system, designed by Ken Babcock Sales, Inc. Rollings suffered a serious personal injury and ultimately lost his leg.

The personal injury lawsuit alleged that the conveyor system, designed by Ken Babcock Sales, failed to protect workers responsible for cleaning the grain bin. According to the personal injury attorneys representing Rollings, "The defective unguarded drag chain conveyor was just six inches away from the large sump hole... an accident just waiting to happen."

Rollings' Accident and Injury Lawyers claimed the conveyor system ultimately caused Rollings to loose his leg. They also alleged the design of the conveyor belt was flawed and created a dangerous condition for workers.

The defense team argued that Rollings employer, Fredonia Cooperative Association, Inc., was negligent by allowing workers into the grain bin when the conveyor was turned on and moving. They later alleged that the system was designed by Ken Babcock, Inc. was unsafe.

It took a Wilson County jury over seven hours to deliberate and to return a verdict in favor of the plaintiff Rollings, who was awarded $1.6 million. The award covered medical expenses, lost wages and future medical costs. The jury found Babcock to be 46% at fault, Fredonia Co-op 44% at fault and Rollings 10% at fault.