Consumers in America expect products that they purchase, either online or in a brick and mortar store, to be safe as long as they use the products properly. Unfortunately, this is not always true. In fact, thousands of people have been injured by dangerous or hazardous products in America, let alone the numerous Oklahomans who have suffered dangerous product injuries. Most of us have heard about the products that have caused children injuries and deaths, but did you hear about the unsafe forklift that led to a man’s death?
The Incident
The death occurred back in December of 2014 in Roanoke, VA, when an Elizabeth Arden employee fell victim to the forklift at the Blue Hills Drive Northeast plant warehouse. According to the wrongful death lawsuit, 44-year-old George Demian was operating a forklift in reverse when he struck a horizontal beam that supported shelves. He was pinned between the forklift and the beam, which caused injuries that later resulted in his death.
Preventable Death
The family is suing The Raymond Corp., the manufacturer of the forklift, as well as the distributor of the forklift, Werres Corp. The lawsuit claims that the accident could have been prevented if vertical safety bars were installed on the forklift. Safety bars on forklifts are optional parts, however, they have been considered an industry standard for many decades now. Because the litigants are in different states, the lawsuit in which the family is seeking $10 million has been moved to the federal court system.
Holding Parties Accountable
Any company that sells products to consumers has a responsibility to ensure that the products they are selling are 100 percent safe. When safety features are omitted from a product, someone is still liable if a death occurs while using that product. Manufacturers and distributors are held to the same liabilities. Victims who have suffered injuries as a result of a dangerous or unsafe product in Oklahoma often follow the same suit as the family of George Demian – they file a lawsuit against the parties that can be held liable for the products.
When a Wrongful Death Occurs
When a death occurs due to a dangerous or unsafe product, family members are often angered, on top of their grief, because the death could have been prevented. That anger can be transferred into action by legally holding the parties who are responsible for the product’s safety accountable. If you have been injured or someone you love has been fatally injured due to a dangerous or unsafe product, call the Law Office of Robert R. Robles to speak to a reputable wrongful death attorney who will fight for the maximum compensation you deserve under Oklahoma law. Contact us today at (405) 232-7980.
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