JACKSONVILLE — A Georgia couple is suing an equipment manufacturer, alleging the company's negligence led to the husband suffering injuries with a power butcher saw.
Danny and Betty Ann Crawford filed a lawsuit Nov. 10 in Duval Circuit Court against ITW Food Equipment Group LLC, alleging failure to exercise standard care.
According to the complaint, on Feb. 8, 2015, Danny Crawford was cutting meat, as required by his job as a butcher at Rowe's IGA Supermarket in Jacksonville. The suit says he was using a power butcher saw manufactured by ITW Food when he stepped away from the saw and unintentionally left the guard up.
The lawsuit states as Crawford reached for a knife near the saw, his right arm contacted the saw blade, which amputated his right arm below the elbow. The incident, the suit says, caused Crawford to sustain an amputation, medical bills, loss of wages, future earning capacity and disfigurement, while his wife, Betty Ann Crawford, lost the companionship and comfort of her husband.
The plaintiffs allege ITW Food Equipment Group failed to design the saw and its components in a proper, safe manner, failed to design the guard that would automatically shield the saw blade when its not being used, and failed to assess the risks involved in the existing saw blade.
The Crawfords seek trial by jury, damages, costs and any other relief deemed appropriate by the court. They are represented by attorneys Robert F. Spohrer and Matthew Spohrer of Spohrer & Dodd PL in Jacksonville.
Duval Circuit Court Case number 16-cv-01421