A worker was killed when a long-known equipment hazard — repeatedly flagged in internal safety audits — finally caused a catastrophic failure during a routine task.
During a scheduled production run, an unguarded mechanical assembly failed without warning. The decedent, performing duties consistent with his training, had no opportunity to react. The incident occurred during the morning shift in an area covered by routine safety inspections.
OSHA citations following the incident documented multiple willful and repeat violations. Internal audit memoranda — produced over employer objection — showed the specific hazard had been identified more than two years before the fatality, with budget approval requested and denied. Supervisory testimony confirmed leadership knew the equipment configuration violated industry standards.
The decedent was a primary household earner with multiple surviving family members. Damages included lost economic support, loss of household services, and the statutory wrongful-death components recognized in the venue jurisdiction.
The jury returned a $38.0M verdict, finding the employer's conduct grossly negligent and supporting an exemplary-damages component.
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