. . . A 54-year-old maintenance foreman in a copper mill was standing next to a copper coil using an overhead crane. A millwright was moving a nearby electric utility cart, similar in design to a golf cart. The millwright intended to drive in reverse. Because the forward/reverse switch was poorly designed, the cart was still in forward gear. After he pushed the throttle, the cart lunged forward, crushing the foreman’s leg. There was extensive pre-trial discovery. Several engineering experts examined the utility cart. The case settled shortly before trial at a private mediation conference. The foreman’s worker’s compensation claim was also settled favorably at the same mediation.
