Opinion ID: 1377
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: introduction

Text: Camerino Ramirez and Anthony Magoffe were working on the platform of a scissor lift raised to the height of approximately 46 feet. James Magoffe was supervising the work from the ground. Unexpectedly, one of the leveling jacks at the base of the lift retracted causing the lift to tip over. Ramirez and Anthony Magoffe were killed. James Magoffe was injured. The workers1 sued the manufacturer of the scissor lift, JLG Industries (JLG), and the company from whom their employer, Yearout Mechanical, rented the lift, United Rentals Northwest (United Rentals).2 Relevant here, the complaint alleged JLG failed to provide sufficient safety warnings. In fact, United Rentals made unauthorized alterations to the lift, bypassing safety mechanisms. The district court granted summary judgment in favor of JLG, concluding United Rentals’ alterations to the lift were unforeseeable as a matter of law, defeating both strict liability and negligence claims. We affirm.