JUDGE DROPS FORKLIFT ASSAULT SUIT

News Story
- 10 Oct 2002 ( #78 ) - HILLSBORO, United States
1 min read
A Washington County judge has dismissed a USD1 million lawsuit that accused the managers of a furniture store of strapping a woman to a forklift and taking her on a wild ride.

Judy Soucy, 59, said she was traumatised for life when she was forced to stand on a "rickety, teetering forklift" as it moved through the warehouse of Paul Schatz Furniture, a report in The Oregonian said.

She said she was sent to retrieve a sofa and chairs from warehouse racks more than 30 feet (nine metres) high. She sued for USD1,039,500, claiming damages for assault, battery and emotional distress.

The defendants said Ms Soucy volunteered to ride the forklift and was safely restrained, but she claimed she was upset after being strapped, in high heels, to an order picker against her will, "lurching" forward and back through the warehouse and being lifted and lowered.

Lawyers for the defence said Ms Soucy did not complain to her bosses or co-workers about the incident, but had told another supervisor, "I had some fun yesterday, I got to ride on the platform".

Judge Suzanne Upton threw out the case after learning a lawyer for Ms Soucy withheld information from the defence.
Electrovaya and Hangcha establish new sites
Electrovaya and Hangcha establish new sites 6 Nov 2025 - Ontario, Canada - 1 min read
Product Briefs
Product Briefs 30 Oct 2025 - 1 min read
Toyota launches redesigned Optio L-Series
Toyota launches redesigned Optio L-Series 2 Oct 2025 - Berkshire, United Kingdom - 1 min read
Do you have materials handling news? Submit your news here

PREMIUM business

VETTER Industrie GmbH
The world's most comprehensive range of forks and the most intelligent sensor fork for more safety and efficiency.

In February 2026, Forkliftaction News will publish a special feature on battery affordability across lifetime, which will take a deep dive into the total cost of ownership.

Are you an expert in this field? To secure your contribution to this popular topic sign on by 18 December 2025!

[Reach out today] to express your interest and receive pricing options and DOWNLOAD our latest media kit for details on our contributor packages.

Words of support …

Although our partnership with Forkliftaction is still relatively new, the experience has been thoroughly positive. The team is incredibly supportive, friendly, and responsive — making the process of advertising straightforward and effective. We’ve appreciated their proactive communication and industry insight and look forward to growing our presence further with their platform.

Nicole Rimensberger, Head of Marketing

Are you recruiting? Find your ideal candidate among a diverse range of materials handling professionals:

Forkliftaction's JOB MARKET

In February 2026, Forkliftaction News will publish a special feature on battery affordability across lifetime, which will take a deep dive into the total cost of ownership.

Are you an expert in this field? To secure your contribution to this popular topic sign on by 18 December 2025!

[Reach out today] to express your interest and receive pricing options and DOWNLOAD our latest media kit for details on our contributor packages.

PREMIUM business

VETTER Industrie GmbH
The world's most comprehensive range of forks and the most intelligent sensor fork for more safety and efficiency.

Are you recruiting? Find your ideal candidate among a diverse range of materials handling professionals:

Forkliftaction's JOB MARKET

In February 2026, Forkliftaction News will publish a special feature on battery affordability across lifetime, which will take a deep dive into the total cost of ownership.

Are you an expert in this field? To secure your contribution to this popular topic sign on by 18 December 2025!

[Reach out today] to express your interest and receive pricing options and DOWNLOAD our latest media kit for details on our contributor packages.

Inside The News
In this week’s Forkliftaction News , we look at the November Logistics Manager’s Index which has dropped to the lowest it has been since June 2024... Continue reading

Are you recruiting? Find your ideal candidate among a diverse range of materials handling professionals:

Forkliftaction's JOB MARKET