PHILADELPHIA – A temp worker claiming to have been maimed by a faulty paper cushioning machine in the shipping facility where she worked has sued Estee Lauder cosmetics in state court.
Alexis Bookard of Levittown filed suit in the Philadelphia County Court of Common Pleas on April 30 versus The Estee Lauder Companies, Inc. of New York, N.Y. and Northtec, LLC, of Bristol.
According to the lawsuit, Bookard was a temporary worker assigned to a shipping facility in Bristol owned and operated by Estee Lauder. In the completion of her duties, Bookard was required to use a Pack Tiger Paper Cushioning System Machine – which created custom-length paper pads, which can be used in a variety of packaging techniques, including cushioning, blocking and bracing.
“On or about May 21, 2016, Bookard attempted to assist a co-worker and change the paper roll on the Pack Tiger machine. Whilst doing so, her hand came in contact with the portion of the machine where a guillotine cuts the paper roll. As a result, three of Bookard’s fingers were severed by the guillotine mechanism of the Pack Tiger. As a result, Bookard sustained serious injuries, including a traumatic amputation of her three fingers; the index, middle, and ring fingers of her right hand, and has been caused to undergo various surgeries, medical procedures, and physical therapy,” the suit says.
“As a result of the accident, Bookard was left with significant scars and permanent deformity, which causes her everyday embarrassment, pain, and discomfort in performing her everyday routine actions, as well as requiring assistance in executing basic day-to-day tasks.”
Bookard claims Estee Lauder failed to provide her a safe work environment, failed to provide warnings regarding the potential for a laceration hazard and failed to properly train, educate and/or supervise users on how to properly and safely operate the Pack Tiger.
For counts of negligence against both defendants, the plaintiff is seeking damages in excess of $50,000, plus interest, costs and such other relief as the Court deems just and proper in this matter.
The plaintiff is represented by Jesse M. Cohen and Scott E. Diamond of Sacks Weston Diamond, in Philadelphia.
Philadelphia County Court of Common Pleas case 180404491
From the Pennsylvania Record: Reach Courts Reporter Nicholas Malfitano at nickpennrecord@gmail.com