Putt v. Yates-American MacHine Co.

STEVENS, J:

Harold E. Putt’s right hand was amputated while he was using a wood-molding machine 1 at his place of employment. While he was working, Mr. Putt discovered that a piece of lumber was lodged in the wood-molding machine, thereby jamming it. Mr. Putt’s co-worker turned off the machine, and while Mr. Putt attempted to loosen the piece of lumber manually with his right hand, the machine’s rear cutter head severed Mr. Putt’s right hand.

On April 19, 1990, Mr. Putt and his wife filed a complaint against Yates American Machine Company (Yates), B.M. Root Corporation (Root), and Martin…