Defective Wheelchair Injury Lawyer
When they can no longer walk or stand for lengthy periods, millions of people throughout the world rely on wheelchairs to get around. Though wheelchairs are designed to make life simpler for handicapped and elderly people, they can often cause accidents and injuries when they fail or are inherently defective.
If you or a loved one has been harmed in a wheelchair accident, you may be allowed to sue the manufacturer for monetary damages. Your financial compensation can be used to cover medical expenses incurred as a result of the event, as well as recovery fees and lost income because of missed work.
Identifying Potential Wheelchair Risks
Before an accident happens, the following procedures may be performed to examine a wheelchair for any problems and to use the chair safely:
- Examine the wheels, brakes, handles, and any other moving parts you can locate on the chair.
- Do not attempt to ride over obstacles or tilt the chair.
- Keep an eye out for wet or slippery conditions on ramps or sidewalks.
- Climbing an incline of more than nine degrees is not recommended.
- If you’re helping someone in a wheelchair, always let them know before you make a move so they don’t be caught by surprise.
- Never sit on a chair that feels wobbly.
A broken or malfunctioning wheelchair might cause catastrophic damage even if you follow all necessary safety procedures. Wheelchair accidents can also be caused by dangerous circumstances at a specific location. For example, if a wheelchair ramp is shaky or the flooring isn’t properly maintained, the property’s management team or owner may be held accountable for any injuries that arise. Fault may be difficult to prove in any legal matter, so you should contact an experienced personal injury attorney as soon as possible.
Typical Defects in Wheelchairs
Wheelchairs are sophisticated machines. It’s vital that all of the pieces operate and that the wheelchair is put together correctly. Any mistake has the potential to cause the equipment to fail.
Many recurring wheelchair defects can result in severe injury to those who use them. Here are a few examples:
- Seats that are defective and do not support the user
- Defective construction or faulty materials
- Brake systems that are not working properly
- Wheelchair motor overheating
- Wheels that are defective and come off or are out of place
- Screws and bolts that are loose
- Issues with motorized wheelchairs’ electrical systems
- Motors or battery chargers that cause fires by short-circuiting
When a defect causes a wheelchair injury, the injured person will likely have a solid case for a product liability lawsuit against the wheelchair manufacturer.
Injuries Caused by Defective Wheelchairs
Wheelchairs are a lifeline to people who have limited mobility. The people who use wheelchairs are often the most vulnerable among us. We never expect that a wheelchair could cause more injuries than the person using them already faces. Regrettably, the following injuries can occur when wheelchairs are defective:
- Amputations
- Burns
- Bruising
- Broken Bones
- Lacerations and bleeding are common.
- Spinal Cord
- Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI)
- Death
Contact a Defective Wheelchair Injury Lawyer
Our injury attorney handles lawsuits nationwide involving defective wheelchairs. Attorney David P. Willis is board certified as a personal injury trial law specialist. We’ve put in a lot of effort to get the best results for our clients, and we’ll do the same for you and your loved ones. Call us at 713-654-4040 or 1-800-883-9858.