Corboy & Demetrio Obtains $4 Million for Tree Service Worker Injured on Job

Corboy & Demetrio has obtained a settlement of $4 million for Ryan Williamson, a 33-year-old tree service worker, who suffered a traumatic brain injury after he was struck in the head with a clevis after the tow strap it was attached to suddenly failed as Ryan was attempting to dislodge a tree stump from the ground.  

Williamson was using a Bobcat and two 30’ by 4” tow straps that were connected by a metal clevis on March 22, 2011 in Carbondale, IL. One of the straps failed, causing the 20-pound metal clevis to strike Williamson in the head.  The defective tow strap had been purchased in Illinois after being imported from a Chinese manufacturer.

Corboy & Demetrio Partner William T. Gibbs, who represented Williamson in the settlement, said, “Ryan Williamson’s brain injury has been devastating to Ryan and his family. This settlement will allow him to get the services and care he needs for the duration of his life.”  

“Chinese manufacturers do not maintain the same safety standards as we do in the United States.  It is incumbent on companies importing these products to ensure they are safe,” Gibbs said.

Gibbs’ co-counsel on the case was Attorney Mark Prince of the Prince Law Firm in Marion, IL.

Gibbs and Prince received the 2017 Highest Reported Verdict or Settlement in Jackson County Award from the Law Bulletin Publishing’s Jury Verdict Reporter on Oct. 26, 2017.