Verdictly
Verdict-Plaintiff
Harris County • 2017

Houston Jury Awards $16.54M in Construction Negligence

Two workers were injured when a large glass window they were guiding fell from a crane and struck their scissor lift, causing it to crash to the ground. Both workers suffered severe spinal cord injuries, required surgery, and experienced mobility and cognitive difficulties. They claimed lost earnings and ongoing rehabilitation needs. The workers sued the crane company, alleging improper operation and failure to follow safety rules. The defense blamed the workers' employer. A jury awarded the injured workers over $16.5 million.

Case Information Updated: October 2025

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Spinal Cord Injury
Truck/Commercial

About Spinal Cord Injury Injuries

Spinal cord injuries are among the most catastrophic outcomes of car accidents, potentially resulting in partial or complete paralysis. These injuries require extensive medical care and significantly impact quality of life.

Case Outcome

Outcome
Verdict-Plaintiff
Amount
$16,540,000
County
Harris County, TX
Resolved
2017

Injury & Accident Details

Injury Type
Spinal Cord Injury
Accident Type
Truck/Commercial
Case Type
Motor Vehicle Accident

Settlement Context

This verdict-plaintiff of $16,540,000 is near the median of $25,955,498 for spinal cord injury cases resolved by verdict-plaintiff. The typical range is $7,000,000 to $67,470,000, based on 23 cases in our database.

Case Overview

In Houston, Texas, two ironworkers sustained severe injuries when a scissor lift they occupied fell approximately 25 feet. The incident occurred as they guided the removal of a large glass window at a retail store. A crane operator, employed by the defendant, Maxim Crane Works, lost control of the panel, which struck the scissor lift and caused it to crash. Both workers suffered severe spinal cord fractures and traumatic brain injuries, requiring surgery and ongoing rehabilitation. The plaintiffs claimed lost earnings totaling $100,000 for one worker and $307,000 for the other.

The injured ironworkers and their spouses filed a lawsuit against Maxim Crane Works, alleging negligence. They claimed the defendant failed to control the glass load, perform the lift operation safely, and provide a competent crane operator. The plaintiffs asserted the operator caused the uncontrolled swing by pulling on a stuck load and mispositioning the crane's boom tip.

Maxim Crane Works argued that the plaintiffs' employer, Seele, Inc., was responsible for the incident. A jury ultimately awarded the plaintiffs over $16.54 million. Liability was apportioned, with Maxim Crane Works found 70 percent at fault and Seele, Inc. 30 percent at fault.

Understanding This Case

  • Spinal cord injuries are typically permanent, though some incomplete injuries may see partial recovery. Life expectancy may be reduced, and quality of life is significantly impacted.
  • This case went to trial and resulted in a jury verdict. Verdicts can yield higher awards but carry the risk of receiving nothing if the jury rules against the plaintiff.
  • This case was resolved in Harris County, Texas. Local jury tendencies, judge assignments, and regional economic conditions all influence case outcomes in this jurisdiction.
  • Resolved in 2017, this case reflects the legal and economic conditions of that period, including medical costs, insurance practices, and jury award trends at the time.

VerdictlyTM Score

75
/100
Reasonably Fair

This outcome is within expected ranges

This score is calculated by analyzing injury type, accident details, geographic location, temporal trends, and comparing against 2,000+ similar cases in our database.

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