my KRL just fell over

[Ser50]

i was pushing my KRL722/791 when a drain (an unavoidable drain that runs the entire length of the shop) gave way, my box went completely backwards.

damage is minor due to snap-ons construction and the fact it fell over backwards. back side is all fucked up, some seams are popping, the lids a little messed up, closes if you slam it. corners are fucked, a caster got a little tweaked, couple socket trays are broken, a few other tools seem a little off, all of decorative **** (ceramic beer taps, so on) and my family photos i had up are ripped and destroyed (the part thats ******* me off the most)
the supports for the top box are tweaked, so the top box sits out front of the bottom.
so far i believe the drawers work, but theyre so jammed with tools that i cant find out.
im sure the list will keep getting longer as i look at it tomorrow.
we just used a fork lift and 6 men to lift it back up, and i basically threw everything that fell out in cardboard boxes, broke a few brooms and threw a few hammers and went home.

my box was in as-new condition until this fall. it was my baby,i hope this isnt going to be a big battle for a new one. im worried the company will try to say its still technically working and wont replace, but i dont know anything yet, i will have to wait for tomorrow, i have a union and the company should have a good policy on something that is their buildings fault.

does anyone have any experience with this? should i lawyer up? i would do it for spite even if it costs me another 10,000 to get a box.

so pissed.

 

[TCJ1981]

Dang, that ***** for sure. Have you talked to the owner of the shop to see if he can help you out with the expense of buying a replacement? If you do lawyer up, there would be a few things to take into consideration.

Your relationship with the boss will probably go sour. I imagine there would be alot of hard feelings. I know its alot of money, but if your in a good situation(get to use the shop for personal use or side jobs for yourself), then you might just have let it go.

Does the shop you work for require you to move your tool box? If so can you prove it, and do they specify certain things that they want you to do (helper, supervision, cover put over the drain, ect.) before you move it?

Did you sign a waiver of any sort relieving your employer of any liability regarding your property when you got hired on? If not, then you might have a case. If you did, your SOL.



Did you have insurance on the stuff? If so, then that would probably cover it.

 

[mrshaun]

also check your home owners policy. My policy automatically covered 8000 off premises possessions and they said I could change that amount if needed.
Also if they never told you to "NOT" roll over that drain then you should be covered.
Just like the warning on a drill that didnt say anything about scratching your nose with a drill bit and accidentally pulling the trigger. THat was an ugly picture.

 

[TheGrooveking]

My condolescenes, suction of the highest order as I've had a box fall over before too and the box was never the same. As to your company covering it, they should, that is the reason they have insurance. If it your responsibility to provide your own tools and storage for them then they are responsible to provide a decent environment to store them in.

I worked one shop in the early 80's where I rolled my Matco cabinet, intermediate, side cab and SnapOn chest into and all of the guys stared at me. I then looked around an noticed that they all had 3 to 8 Craftsman portable tool boxes. One guy came up to me and told me a I was brave man, I then spoke to a few of them and they told me the shop had been ripped off before and the owner didn't cover anything and that there was no alarm. I had my tool boxes on my buddy pickup truck that night.

But in your case it is somewhat different, the floor drain caved in, which meant it was not spec'd to hold what could possibly go over it. So IMO the company should paying. If the boss offers and resistance reference the forklift, had it driven over that drain it too probably would of caved in, and that could cause damage to whatever the forklift was moving and or hurt someone or damage other things.

TheGrooveking

 

[Skyline]

That's really tough luck. From an insuance perspective, you definately need to file a claim against your employer's liability insurance. Your homeowner's insurance is probably not going to do a thing for you due to the fact that your tools are used for work, off premisis. I think it's possible to endorse a homeowner's policy to cover something like this, but most of the time you need to buy a seperate policy.

Also, do not expect your employers insurance carrier to just buy you a new box. They are much more likely to pay a claim based on "Actual Cash Value" which equals replacement cost less depreciation. And NO, they will not buy your argument that a Snap-on box will last forever. So if it's five years old, they will probably say it has a useful life of 20 years, and pay 3/4s. Still not too bad, you can easily replace the box in the used market for that.

The last box like this I sold I got $3,500 in mint condition. If you get any more than that, you should come out whole.

 

[caper]

I've had my Snappy combo go over on it's face.It's hard to describe the feeling of watching it go and being able to do nothing to stop it.My condolences,hopefully your employer will look after you.

 

[Lump]

My advice is to NOT "lawyer up" yet. That should be a much later (if needed) step.

You were wise to go home when you were so angry too, by the way.

First, talk with your employer and ask him to contact his insurance agent. Then politely wait for an answer. At the same time, contact your own agent with your homeowners. Just ask both parties, and wait for replies.

Sorry this happened to you.

 

[brian90505]

A faulty floor drain sounds like the company should be paying, and they shouldn't be giving you a hard time about it unless you were moving the box unnecessarily. I hope you get it resolved.

 

[Davefr]

My advice is to NOT "lawyer up" yet. That should be a much later (if needed) step.

You were wise to go home when you were so angry too, by the way.

First, talk with your employer and ask him to contact his insurance agent. Then politely wait for an answer. At the same time, contact your own agent with your homeowners. Just ask both parties, and wait for replies.

Sorry this happened to you.

^^^ Good advice. Going to a lawyer without talking to your boss could be the kiss of death for your career. Besides that the lawyer would cost you more then the box is worth.

A decent employer that values you will simply replace the box with an equivalent regardless of the insurance aspect. That means used vs. new which can be <50% MSRP.

It's reasonable that the shop should have a floor strong enough to move tools and equipment. Maybe it could even be a code violation.

Post some images and keep us advised what your employer says.

 

[padronanniversary]

i hope the shop does the right thing. considering you could or may have gotten hurt from a faulty floor grate or drain.

i would settle for nothing less than a replacement.

 

[rsanter]

is the drain grate 'forklift rated' class D?
that toolbox is a hard tire load in the same class as a forklift or pallet jack
if that grate was not designd to take that then it was a misapplication to put it there

bob

 

[walrus]

That would bring tears to my eyes. Hope you get it worked out without too much hassle

 

[chadster1]

That *****. Its a good thing no one got hurt.

 

[Quik208]

Im sorry to hear that. I would flip out if I ever saw my box fall over.

 

[Boiler]

My company would say you were SOL. Basically you're probably 50/50 on the companies that would tell you to be more careful next time, and the ones that actually claim responsibility for their actions and/or care about their employees.

 

[Ser50]

ill try to get pics.

the only pics that exist are on the company camera, i will have to try to get them from my manager.

my cellphone at the time was jammed in my toolbox! so i couldnt take any pictures.



ive phoned my manager, he did this 'i havent heard about this or seen pictures? your toolbox? the yellow one? looks fine to me? if its broken we will repair it'

yea, right, gonna send it over to a frame shop to have it pulled straight?

my union had other feelings on the matter... lets wait and see.

 

[Ser50]

That *****. Its a good thing no one got hurt.

really? i could have had 6 mos off and a new box,, doesnt sound bad to me..

heh, but my right hand is sprained, it was the one holding the handle in some vain attempt to stop the fall

 

[chadster1]

really? i could have had 6 mos off and a new box,, doesnt sound bad to me..

heh, but my right hand is sprained, it was the one holding the handle in some vain attempt to stop the fall

You have reported your injury havent you? It happened on the job. You mentioned that you are in a union so hopefully they will do their job and make sure you get taken care of.

 

[blaze_125]

Just like the warning on a drill that didnt say anything about scratching your nose with a drill bit and accidentally pulling the trigger. THat was an ugly picture.

Say what?

 

[Lump]

My further advice would be to NOT fake any injury, any time. But if you sprained that hand or wrist trying to prevent that box from falling, you should go IMMEDIATELY to an emergency room, your regular doctor, or an Urgent Care center. Such treatments are best when started immediately, AND you need documentation of your injury. Later, if it proves to be something negligible which heals up nicely on its own...good for you. But if it gives you chronic trouble, you need to be under the care of a physician, and you need that to start immediately, and you need that to be documented.

I have personally had injuries that started off the first day as minor discomfort, but got worse every day for several days (none that were employment related, in my case). Don't mess around on this, and DON'T SIGN anything...like a release, either.

Just my lay-person uneducated opinion. Good luck to you.

 

[tjmonsen5]

I would think that SnapOn would warranty it. A few guys at my shop all had their boxes replaced for free when the bottom started to rust. (most likely from the boys cleaning the shop each night with soapy water) There was 4 or 5 boxes that were exchanged for brand new ones. Now, i dont know if it was because the boxes were rusty, or if it was blamed on the company for the soapy floors each night.

 

[Bolster]

I'm really sorry to hear this, you have my sincere sympathy.

I'm agreeing with the consensus on this one...it would be a hard case to lawyer, partly because you are not looking at a $50K settlement. Lawyers don't like to take on "small" amounts, not enough money in it. Lawyers cost what, $3K a day, and you may find you get little accomplished in 3 days of their time...there goes another 10 grand. Typically it would get negotiated down to some middling position they consider "reasonable" (like taking your box to the frame shop, rewelding and repainting it).

Hate to say it, but if a fixed box will aggravate you, maybe get it fixed up and sell it.

 

[gtivr4]

I would think that SnapOn would warranty it.

Why would they do that? The box fell, that is ZERO fault of Snap On. The rusty box is a slightly different scenario.

 

[warmpancakes]

rust isnt a warranty item, how could snap on control the enviroment where you keep the box? thats 1000% out of their control

 

[Ser50]

im meeting with our body shop this afternoon. my manager wants to obviously take the cheapest route.

for me, repairing it is not good enough. sending it to a hack body shop filled with unskilled labor to tack my box back together doesnt cut it.

i bought this thing for my career, and now 5 years in its fucked. due to the company.
i guess i got one option left, have it repaired, stay disgruntled for the next 30 years and our shop just lost the interest of one of its only productive mechanics. now i know why everyone else is so lazy and jaded.

 

[Ser50]

i would like to add something important


IF this had been my fault, i would be very very pleased at how well the box took the punishment. and i could live with it since it is technically in working order.

since its not, i am extremely pissed at the cost of a replacement since my company will do anything they can to avoid it.


****.

 

[padronanniversary]

tell them its not acceptable and that they should own up to it and REPLACE it.

Hell, as a side note, I'd see what your labor board and OSHA has say about the dangerous work conditions.

 

[chadster1]

I would think that SnapOn would warranty it. .

Nope. A box falling over is not something that Snap-on will replace under warranty.

 

[Lump]

Nope. A box falling over is not something that Snap-on will replace under warranty.

Of course not. It's an accident, like a car wreck. You can't take your new car back after you crunch it and expect a new one.

 

[Davefr]

i guess i got one option left, have it repaired, stay disgruntled for the next 30 years and our shop just lost the interest of one of its only productive mechanics. now i know why everyone else is so lazy and jaded.

As I see it you have a few options left. Why don't you take it up with the companies owner. Calmy explain how the shop's floor failed under the load of a tool box through no fault of your own. Remind him that it's fortunate that no one was injured.

Be reasonable and ask for an equivalent replacement. If he balks then ask for a 3 way meeting with him and the shop's insurance agent to see if something can be worked out.

I agree that I would not have some "hacks" try and rebuild a SO KRL box. In fact it could be a safety issue having a 6' high tool box set containing several 1000 lbs of tools with broken welds and hack repairs. See if your SO dealer could give you a letter stating it's a hazard to use/repair.

Maybe this will give some some ideas on why a box cannot be safely rebuilt. Will the body shop "hacks" be able to inspect all 521 weld points for structural integrity:

http://www.theundisputedchamp.com/mainevent/7.html

Good luck.

 

[bmrisko]

Why would they do that? The box fell, that is ZERO fault of Snap On.

Seriously, does Chevy warranty a Silverado when the owner wrecks it?

Also, the OP hasn't stated why he was moving his box. At the dealership I used to work at, it was common sense to roll your box outside the bay door and around the floor length drain if you had to move it, although I never saw boxes move around that much. It's not that the metal grate couldn't support the weight, it was that they were a little loose and just made rolling a box over it a PITA.

 

[Moose-LandTran]

Sorry to hear that. But welcome to the fallen toolbox club. Mine fell over in a van a little more than a week ago. I also need some bracing/welding before the castor mounts become independant suspension..

 

[arkangel06]

 

[mooman]

Sad story.
Dumb question....why didn't you put something down over the drain before embarking on this journey? Or, why didn't you the forklift to move it in the first place?

 

[arkangel06]

Sad story.
Dumb question....why didn't you put something down over the drain before embarking on this journey? Or, why didn't you the forklift to move it in the first place?

Because falling over is better then any sort of dammage that could happen with a fork lift

 

[tonydanzah]

Sad story.
Dumb question....why didn't you put something down over the drain before embarking on this journey? Or, why didn't you the forklift to move it in the first place?

the grate on the drain broke, is what i thought happened.

 

[Bolster]

As I see it you have a few options left. Why don't you take it up with the companies owner. Calmy explain how the shop's floor failed under the load of a tool box through no fault of your own. Remind him that it's fortunate that no one was injured.

Be reasonable and ask for an equivalent replacement. If he balks then ask for a 3 way meeting with him and the shop's insurance agent to see if something can be worked out.

I agree that I would not have some "hacks" try and rebuild a SO KRL box. In fact it could be a safety issue having a 6' high tool box set containing several 1000 lbs of tools with broken welds and hack repairs. See if your SO dealer could give you a letter stating it's a hazard to use/repair.

Maybe this will give some some ideas on why a box cannot be safely rebuilt. Will the body shop "hacks" be able to inspect all 521 weld points for structural integrity:

http://www.theundisputedchamp.com/mainevent/7.html

Good luck.

That's good advice.

Your fall-back position may be that your shop buys it from you for some 'used box' price, and you explain that "we're all taking a loss this way." Then you buy a new one.

I agree you'll do better with the "calm but persistent" approach.

 

[caper]

Nope. A box falling over is not something that Snap-on will replace under warranty.

Tell me about it,mine fell over because the Snap on caster broke.It's been about 5 yrs and I still can't even get a new caster out of them.They say it's discontinued and there's no replacement.

 

[RbrtAWhyt]

damage is minor due to snap-ons construction and the fact it fell over backwards. back side is all fucked up, some seams are popping, the lids a little messed up, closes if you slam it. corners are fucked, a caster got a little tweaked, couple socket trays are broken, a few other tools seem a little off, all of decorative **** (ceramic beer taps, so on) and my family photos i had up are ripped and destroyed (the part thats ******* me off the most)
the supports for the top box are tweaked, so the top box sits out front of the bottom.
so far i believe the drawers work, but theyre so jammed with tools that i cant find out.

Yeah, that sure does sound minor...

 

[RbrtAWhyt]

If you do lawyer up, there would be a few things to take into consideration.

You have got to be kidding...