A settlement in the amount of $1,500,000 was reached on behalf of the widow of a truck driver who was crushed to death by falling pallet racks.

On January 23, 2009, Michael Shaw, 54, died when several hundred pounds of metal he hauled to a construction site fell on him, killing him instantly.

His widow, Mary Shaw, sued a number of defendants involved with the construction and transportation of the pallet racks. Plaintiff alleged Michael Shaw’s death occurred as a result of the negligence of the manufacturer and shipper of the pallet racks; the general contractor for the construction site; the premises owner; the broker of the pallet rack installation contract; and the pallet rack unloader and installer. Each and every one of the seven defendants contributed toward the $1,500,000 settlement amount. The defense claimed, Michael Shaw, deceased, violated a clear company rule in cutting bands which surrounded the pallet racks without the approval of the forklift operator supervising the unloading process.

The plaintiff was represented by John C. Coyne and Robert J. Napleton.