Man Who Lost Leg in Accident Gets a Settlement That Totals $500,000

A Garden Grove man who lost part of a leg in a tree-trimming accident agreed Wednesday to settle a lawsuit that brought to $500,000 the compensation he has received for his injury.

George Teague, 30, lost his left leg below the knee when he lost control of a machine he was using to grind down tree stumps. The device, manufactured by Arrowhead Continental Inc. of San Bernardino, lunged at Teague, severing his leg, according to lawyer Bruce Brusavich.

The lawsuit, alleging that the grinder lacked sufficient safety devices, was filed against Arrowhead; Promark Products Inc. of Covina, which distributed the grinder, and IFG Leasing, the firm that financed purchase of the grinder by Teague’s employer.

On Wednesday, Promark agreed to pay $45,000 and its insurer, Pine Top Insurance Co. of Illinois, paid $215,000.

Earlier, Arrowhead paid Teague $180,000 and IFG paid $60,000, bringing total payments in the case to $500,000, according to Brusavich.

At the time of the Sept. 23, 1983, accident, Teague was an employee of Tree Rite Service Co.

Teague used the earlier settlement proceeds to set himself up in his own tree-trimming business, Brusavich said.