Attorneys obtained a jury defense verdict in a product defect case involving a collapsed 30-ton drill rig being lifted by two slings manufactured by our client. Plaintiff instituted suit regarding a construction site crane accident. A 30-ton drill rig was being lifted by two cranes. As the lift was proceeding, one of the slings separated, the load fell, and the shack load caused the other sling to part. The drill rig and the truck onto which it landed sustained significant damage. Five eyewitnesses, 2 crane operators and 3 riggers, working on this lift, plus two supervisors, testified categorically that the sling broke at a point just below the hook where it was not abrading against any object.
We represented the sling manufacturer. Through the testimony of the company representative and a mechanical engineer, we asserted that what the witnesses all believed they saw was the aftermath of the accident, not the cause. Rather, we contended that the sling was exposed to a sharp edge on the load due to improper rigging, facts that were specifically denied by all of the eyewitnesses who said they rigged properly, protecting all sharp edges.
After deliberation, the jury returned a defense verdict, finding no product defect, thereby accepting our explanation for the cause of the accident that the sling was cut by the load due to improper padding protection.
During the course of the trial, a multitude of other legal and evidentiary issues relating primarily to damages were raised. Each issue was raised by us and the court ruled against our position.