Texas Supreme Court Overturns Genie Death Liability Verdict

摘要

The Texas Supreme Court overturned a jury's verdict that Genie Industries was liable for the death of a worker operating one of the manufacturer's lifts. The vote was 6-3 in favor of Genie. In the case of Genie Industries v. Matak, the Texas Supreme Court held that when people intentionally misuse a product in a way that is clearly dangerous, the manufacturer is not responsible for the resulting injuries. The case came about when James Boggan and Walter Matak, two fully-trained workers, intentionally misused a Genie Super Series AWP S40 aerial work platform when installing fiber optic cables and pipe in a Texas church ceiling. Instead of lowering the lift each time when moving to a new location, Matak remained on the fully extended lift while it was being pushed around. The lift then tipped over and killed Matak. The men ignored the lift's manual, eye-level illustrated warnings, and a church supervisor's verbal warnings.