$66M awarded to injured physical therapist by New York Jury

A New York jury has awarded a Cheektowaga woman $66 million after she was paralyzed by a exercise unit that toppled onto her. The upstate woman was working as a physical therapist six years ago when the weight machine fell on her, causing severe and permanent injuries. The judgement is believed to be the largest personal injury award in western New York State history.

The manufacturer of the exercise equipment, Cybex International, Inc., was the center of the trial and found to be responsible for $49.5 million of the judgment. Cybex vigorously denies any wrong doing, claiming the woman “pulled a Cybex weight machine over on herself” and is solely to blame. The 300kg weight exercise machine crushed the woman’s vertebra, leaving her a quadriplegic.

Cybex has already stated it’s intention to appeal. It claims that if the judgment stands, it will likely put Cybex into bankruptcy.

Woman crippled by exercise machine wins $66 million, Boston Herald, December 9, 2010
Cybex International to pay $66m to woman paralysed by Medway exercise machine, Herald Sun, December 9, 2010