Man claims employee caused mower to fall from ramp and crush him

MARSHALL- While attempting to drive his lawnmower up a ramp into his truck, Robert Brown states that the loading ramps became loose causing the mower to fall on top of him.

The East Texas resident filed a personal injury lawsuit against Lawnstation.com on July 31 in the Marshall Division of the Eastern District of Texas.

The plaintiff states that on April 7 he arrived at Lawnstation.com to pick up his riding lawnmower. An employee placed loading ramps on the back of Brown's truck so that the lawnmower could be driven into the back of the pickup and transported home.

According to the plaintiff, while he was attempting to drive the lawnmower up the ramp, one or both of the ramps came loose because the employee did not properly secure them.

The mower fell on top of Brown causing injury to his back. Brown states he sustained compression fractures in his back.

The lawsuit asserts the defendant is negligent for failing to properly secure the loading ramps, failing to purchase appropriate loading ramps with safety chains and failing to properly train or supervise employees in the loading of equipment.

Brown is seeking more than $275,000 in damages.

Longview attorney Rex A. Nichols Jr. of Nichols and Nichols PC is representing the plaintiff.

U.S. District Judge T. John Ward will preside over the litigation.

Self-described, "Lawnstation.com is a full service outdoor power equipment dealer selling Chain Saws, Line Trimmers, Blowers and mowing equipment to both the commercial and consumer customer."

Case No 2:09cv00232