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Paralysis Case Scores Largest Personal Injury Award in Western NY Hist

Posted on Dec 16, 2010

A 30-year old woman from Cheektowaga NY has won the largest personal injury aware in the history of Western New York. Natalie Barnhard was awarded a $66 million judgment by the state Supreme Court in Buffalo in early December following an 8 week trial in the product liability case.

Ms. Barnhard suffered paralysis stemming from a 2004 on the job injury she sustained while employed at Amherst Orthopedic Physical Therapy. Barnhard was injured when a 600 pound weight machine fell on top of her as she worked as a physical therapy assistant, crushing her vertebrae. The $66 million dollar judgment was against the manufacturer of the machine, Cybex International based in Medway, MA. Cybex is expected to appeal and Amherst may be liable for a portion of the award at a later time.

Barhard's spinal injury caused paralysis from the neck down though she is beginning to regain the use of her limbs on a gradual basis. Cybex may end up bankrupt following the court's decision according to analysts who say the earnings of the company would not cover the cost of operations in addition to settling the judgment.