A Texas business owner is being sued for injuries suffered by an elevator lift his company didn't install.

Tim Byrom and his son, Clint, and their construction company Brint Construction are being sued by homeowner James Keene who claims to have injured his arm when he tried to repair a cargo lift in his beach house.  “They sued us, but we didn’t make it, install it, or guarantee it,” Byrom said in a recent interview.

According to news reports, Byrom said the story begins years ago when Keene inquired about his company installing an elevator.  After noting the cost, $20,000, Byrom heard nothing more until years later he was contacted by a cargo lift company, EasyLift Cargo Lifts, to do electric work.

“They contacted EasyLift on their own. We didn’t refer them and weren’t involved in their decision. The only work we did was installing the electrical system for the lift,” Byrom said.  “It appears they were using the cargo lift as an elevator despite the warning sign: ‘This device is NOT to be used for lifting human beings or animals.’”

Byrom said he can’t understand how his company could be responsible for the man’s injuries, when it had nothing to do with the lift itself. Keene, who is seeking $1 million in his lawsuit, claims Brint Construction recommended the lift.

“People with legitimate claims have to wait because of cases like this,” Byrom said. “This has to stop, people have to take some personal responsibility.”

—Source: The Southeast Texas Record