A man, who lost his leg when it became trapped in a grain bin, has been given a £1 million award for a lost leg in a work accident in a product liability compensation case against the designer of the grain bin – Ken Babcock Sales Inc. – and his employer – the Fredonia Cooperative Association.
Sam Rollings (23), was cleaning out corn in the grain bin in January 2007, when he slipped and his right foot became trapped in the drag chain of the grain bin conveyor system. His leg was pulled into the machine and Sam suffered such severe injuries to his right foot and lower leg that surgeons had no choice but to amputate
In a compensation case against the designer of the grain bin and his employer, it was claimed that there were no protective barriers or guard rails in the grain bin, and that no instructions or warnings were ever issued to employees working in the grain bin about the hazards which were present.
After seven hours of deliberation, the jury agreed with Sam that both Ken Babcock Sales and the Fredonia Cooperative Association were together liable for his injuries, and awarded a total of £1 million to cover a loss of salary, past medical expenses and future medical care.