A malfunctioning mechanical arm at a parking lot has led to a lawsuit against two major entities. On August 14, 2024, Joseph Bueno filed a complaint in the Superior Court of California, County of Santa Clara, against Stanford Health Care and Fenwal, Inc., citing negligence as the cause of his injuries.
The plaintiff, Joseph Bueno, alleges that on February 22, 2023, he was seriously injured by a malfunctioning mechanical arm at the Stanford Health Center parking lot located at 875 Blake Wilbur Drive in Palo Alto, California. According to the complaint, the mechanical arm lowered directly onto Bueno's neck as he attempted to walk through the parking lot. The incident is said to have caused severe bodily harm and ongoing physical and emotional distress.
Bueno claims that both Stanford Health Care and Fenwal, Inc., along with unnamed defendants referred to as Does 1 through 50, were responsible for maintaining and controlling the property where the incident occurred. He asserts that these entities failed in their duty to ensure that the premises were safe for visitors. "Defendants carelessly and negligently used, controlled, maintained, and/or inspected the Mechanical Arm," reads part of the complaint. The document further states that this negligence allowed a dangerous condition to persist on the property.
The lawsuit outlines several specific failures on the part of the defendants: not properly maintaining or repairing the mechanical arm despite its known malfunctions; failing to warn visitors about its dangerous condition; and neglecting to take reasonable precautions such as setting up warning signs or barriers. The complaint emphasizes that these oversights created an unreasonable risk of harm which ultimately resulted in Bueno's injuries.
In terms of legal relief, Bueno is seeking compensatory damages for past and future medical expenses, loss of earnings, loss of earning capacity, general damages for pain and suffering, economic damages related to his injury, costs associated with filing the suit, and prejudgment interest. He demands a jury trial for all claims so triable.
Representing Joseph Bueno is attorney Tanner E. Combs from Silva Injury Law Inc., while no specific attorneys are mentioned for Stanford Health Care or Fenwal Inc. The case is being overseen by Judge M Suarez under Case ID 24CV445160.