PITTSBURGH — A glass processing machine manufacturer is facing a claim alleging defective design caused a worker to lose fingers after his hand was pulled into the machine.
Tobie Zakrie filed a complaint April 10 in the Court of Common Pleas of Butler County against LiSec America Inc., alleging strict product liability and negligence. The defendant removed the case to federal court on May 6.
According to his suit, Zakrie was working at United Plate Glass Company in Butler on March 9, 2020. He claims that as he was using a glass processing machine designed and manufactured by LiSec and removing the plate of unfinished glass, his gloved hand got pulled into the pinch joint between a roller and the frame.
Zakrie alleges he suffered finger amputations on his left hand and other injuries. He further alleges LiSec's negligence in its defective design and manufacturing of the glass processing machine and for selling the product without "all necessary accoutrements" for safety.
Zakrie claims LiSec also failed to provide proper warnings about the dangers of the machine and did not label the machine with proper warnings and instructions. He also claims as a result of the accident, he suffered loss of income, embarrassment and humiliation as well as incurred medical treatment expenses.
Zakrie seeks monetary relief, trial by jury and all other just relief. He is represented by Anne Manero of The Law Offices of W. Kelly McWilliams in Philadelphia.