Awards and settlements

11.6, toxic pesticide award

US: a former mechanic for an Edison forklift rental company who was disabled in 2000 when he was exposed to a toxic pesticide while repairing one of the machines has been awarded $46.7mn by a Superior Court jury. The jury determined that Troy Chemical Corp. of Newark, the company that sent the contaminated forklift to Mid-Hudson Forklift Rental Corp, is responsible for the disabling illnesses suffered by the mechanic after cleaning and repairing the machine in 2000. The man suffered nerve damage and heart and gastrointestinal complications following his exposure to the pesticide and other chemicals and has not been able to work since. Following a four day trial and 90 minutes of deliberations in the courtroom, the jury decided yesterday afternoon that the man, who has a wife and five children ages 8 to 20, should be awarded $45mn for pain and suffering, $260,000 for past wages lost, $1.36mn for wages he will lose in the future and more than $20,000 for medical expenses. The method of payment is yet to be worked out. The jury award is believed to be one of the largest ever in Middlesex County.