Patton & Ryan Achieves Defense Verdict for LifeFitness in $20 Million Lawsuit
Chicago, Illinois
May 26, 2006
A 26 year old man, was involved in a weightlifting accident with a LifeFitness Smith machine located in an apartment complex at the 1400 block of N Lakeshore Drive in March of 2001. While lifting approximately 150 to 175 lbs, Herman failed to both latch the bar and affix the available safety stops, and dropped the bar on his head. Mark Herman’s injuries consisted of immediate quadriplegia at the C4-C5 spinal vertebrae. He later died from the injuries. His estate, sued Brunswick Corporation and LifeFitness, on wrongful death and survival claims in excess of $20,000,000. Plaintiff claimed that the LifeFitness Smith Machine contained a design defect, and that defendants failed to warn of it. The matter went to trial before a Cook County jury on April 26, 2006 and lasted three weeks, ending on May 19, 2006. The jury then deliberated approximately 5 days, until May 26, 2006. The jury returned a unanimous verdict in favor of Brunswick Corporation and LifeFitness, on all counts.