Wheelchair Injury Lawyer
Your Advocate for Wheelchair Defect Injuries
Though rare, serious wheelchair accidents can happen. Wheelchairs are like any other product, defective design and manufacturing defects can lead to serious injuries.
The Willis Law Firm, along with our team of lawyers understand the immense challenges faced by individuals who rely on wheelchairs for mobility and independence. A defective wheelchair can turn a life-saving tool into a dangerous liability, leading to devastating injuries and long-term complications.
With over 40 years of experience, our firm is dedicated to holding negligent manufacturers accountable and securing justice for those severely harmed by their products.
If you or a loved one has been seriously injured due to a defective wheelchair, ramp failure, or due to a third parties’ negligence then you need to call and get a free case review from an experienced trial attorney.
$100,000,000’s Recovered for Clients
In Product Liability & Negligence Injury Cases
High-Profile Wheelchair Defect Lawsuits
Morin vs. Sunrise Medical Lawsuit
In San Diego CA. a wheelchair injury lawsuit was brought against Sunrise Medical, the manufacturer of Toby Morin’s Quickie Q7 wheelchair. A product liability lawsuit was filed due to faulty installation of wheelchair components. Toby, the plaintiff, a 35-year-old man had been a paraplegic since 7 yrs old. He was confined to and depended on his wheelchair. Due to problems with the chair’s seat bracket, a replacement was needed. Sadly, the wheelchair dealer installed the new threaded bolts (which had sharp edges) TOWARD Toby, causing a serious open wound and causing serious medical complications for years. The wound caused leg spasms and immeasurable pain and suffering. Sunrise and the dealer were sued but responded that they were not legally responsible and tried to minimize Toby’s injuries. After almost one month of trial, the jury disagreed with the defendant’s position and awarded Toby a $9.8 Million verdict!!
If you would like to know more about Toby’s case, contact us at 1-800-447-8400
Veronica L. vs Sunrise Medical
Our client Veronia had been paralyzed since her thirties when her car was struck by a felon fleeing from a police officer. At the time of her original injury, she had a four-year-old child which despite being paralyzed she raised and became a noted writer and illustrator regarding the disposal of nuclear waste. In Dec. 2020, my client was severely injured when her chair suddenly moved out from under her as she was transferring from the chair to the toilet. The brake/wheel lock on her Sunrise Quickie Q2 wheelchair inadvertently released or failed to hold causing Veronica to fall resulting in two broken femurs. These new injuries and severe complications changed her life forever. A product liability lawsuit was filed against Sunrise for defective design flaws.
Confidential Settlement was reached for my client on the eve of the trial.
Note: After forty years of representing injured clients in personal injury trials and product liability lawsuits, I can admit, that it was truly an honor to have represented Veronica in this case. Her strength and courage throughout the case were remarkable. If you would like to know more about Veronica’s actual case, contact us at 1-800-447-8400
Schedule your free initial consultation by calling our firm at 1-800-447-8400 Today.
Wheelchair Lawsuit Categories
Wheelchair Injuries
Wheelchair Recalls
Wheelchair Accidents
Wheelchair Links
Defective Wheelchair
Wheelchair Injury Lawsuit
Wheelchair accidents can happen in a variety of ways, often due to flaws in design or manufacturing. Some common types of wheelchair accidents caused by defects include:
- Falls in Transfers Due to Defective or Missing Nuts & Bolts: Sadly, many wheelchairs leave the factory and within a few weeks or months dangerous defects appear and cause failures many of which result in injuries. These include nuts, lock washers and bolts breaking or failing on wheel lock assemblies, brake assemblies, casters and wheels, frames and other important SAFETY devices that are depended upon to work as designed and to NOT loosen, fall off, fail to hold once tightened or they just simply break.
- Wheel Lock or Brake Failures: When bolts designed to hold the brake or wheel lock assembly become loose even after tightening by the dealer, bolts or nuts or lock washers missing, one needs to look to the entity that sold / assembled the chair for fault. Liability is clear.
- Tip-Overs: Wheelchairs with unstable designs or poor weight distribution can tip over, especially on uneven surfaces, leading to serious falls. Many tip overs are caused by incorrect fittings at time of purchase, holes in sidewalks, street or ramp defects.
- Caster Wheel Failures: When the front wheels (casters) malfunction, break or fall off, due to inferior metal, bolts and nuts come loose or break, the wheelchair can abruptly stop or become uncontrollable, causing a falls and severe injuries.
- Wheel Moves Even Though Locked – Due to the design defect in some wheelchairs, some hand brakes or wheel locks can fail to hold under pressure or can inadvertently become unlocked or released during a stop on a decline or during patient transfer.
- Motor Vehicle Accidents (MVA): When a bus, train or van carrying a patient in a wheelchair is involved in a wreck or accident, the wheelchair occupant can be thrown free due to inadequate securing methods or frame failures in the chair itself in the accident.
- Frame Breakage: A wheelchair’s frame, back seat frame or side panel can collapse or fail due to defective welding, lack of welds and defective nuts & bolts.
These incidents can be traumatic and life-altering especially to users of wheelchairs already having compromised or weakened bodies and bowel complications, making it crucial to identify and address the root causes of these dangerous defects and help prevent similar accidents or defects from hurting others in the future.
Schedule your free initial consultation by calling our firm at 1-800-447-8400 Today.
Wheelchair Problems & Flaws
Wheelchair Brake Failure
Wheelchair user says the left side wheel lock (brake) on their 2–3-month-old Sunrise Medical Quickie 2 fell off while transferring from toilet to the wheelchair. They discovered the bolt holding the wheel lock was missing bolt had fallen off. Luckily, they were not injured.
Wheelchair Wheel Lock Fell Off
The left side wheel lock on a 51-day-old chair fell apart upon tightening. The user said the wheel lock would loosen within days of tightening, and it was later discovered the lock nuts were missing. User had no injuries.
Brake / Wheel Lock Too Loose
The brake/wheel locks on both the left and right side became loose on a 4-5 month old wheelchair, even after it was tightened 3 different times. They had no injuries.
Wheelchair Caster Wheel Fork Assembly
User’s husband reports his wife was riding her manual wheelchair when the left caster wheel fork fell off causing her to fall to the ground. Luckily, she only had minor injuries.
Front Wheel Axel Failure
Caregiver states that while she was pushing the chair up a ramp, the front right side axel pin fell out of the caster assembly bending the caster fork. Fortunately, the patient was not injured.
The injuries resulting from wheelchair defects can be catastrophic, exacerbating the conditions that require the use of a wheelchair in the first place. Common wheelchair injuries include:
- Spinal Cord Injuries: A fall from a defective wheelchair can cause or worsen spinal cord injuries, leading to increased paralysis or reduced mobility including a traumatic brain injury.
- Fractures and Broken Bones: Tip-overs and collapses can result in broken bones, especially in the arms, legs, or pelvis. Complication from healing is another increased concern.
- Head and Brain Injuries: A sudden impact, such as falling forward due to a caster wheel failure, can lead to traumatic brain injuries (TBIs), concussions, or severe head trauma.
- Soft Tissue Injuries: Muscles, tendons, and ligaments are often damaged in wheelchair accidents, causing long-term pain and disability.
- Pressure Sores and Ulcers: A broken or improperly functioning wheelchair or prematurely worn-out wheelchair cushions can lead to poor positioning and increased pressure, resulting in painful sores that are difficult to heal and prone to infection.
These injuries can lead to extended hospital stays, surgeries, and ongoing rehabilitation, significantly affecting the victim’s quality of life and independence.
Several defects commonly lead to injuries in wheelchair users. Understanding these defects can help prevent future accidents and hold manufacturers accountable:
- Wheelchair Brake Failure: Wheelchairs with defective brakes or wheel stops can fail to hold causing the user to lose control or fall during a transfer.
- Faulty Controls: In electric wheelchairs, issues with the joystick or control panel can cause unintended movements, leading to crashes or collisions.
- Structural Weakness: Weak or poorly welded frames can crack or break under stress, bolts can fall out or snap resulting in sudden collapses.
- Battery Malfunctions: For powered wheelchairs, defective batteries can lead to sudden power loss or, in extreme cases, fires and explosions.
- Seat and Backrest Issues: A poorly designed or improperly assembled seat can break or fail causing the user to slide or tip out of the wheelchair, leading to falls and injuries.
- Wheelchair Battery Fires: If on an electric or power wheelchair these is an electrical short or lithium-ion battery fire, then the wheelchair user, especially if alone, may be facing critical burns and even death.
These defects often arise from substandard materials, inadequate testing, or flawed designs. Manufacturers have a responsibility to ensure their products are safe and reliable, especially for individuals who depend on them for mobility and independence. Besides the manufacturer, the reseller and repair facility may also be liable for the defects or not repairing said defects.
$100,000,000’s
Recovered for Our Clients
No Fees or Expenses Charged, Unless You Recover
$25,532,000
After a three-week trial, the court rendered a judgment for over $25 Million for a young woman who suffered a permanent traumatic brain injury because of the negligent conduct and lack of warning by the Defendants. The case was settled on appeal for $15,000,000.
$22,500,000
A 5-year-old child suffered severe brain damage when a local pharmacist at a large nationwide drug store chain failed to use a child-proof cap on the young girl’s prescription of theophylline (asthma medicine). As a result, she overdosed and suffered life-long brain injury requiring 24/7 care. Settled Before Trial.
$4,250,000
A 13-year-old girl was fell off her inner tube and found at the bottom of the wave pool nearly five minutes later. Sadly, she suffered severe anoxic brain damage. Parents hired Willis, who filed a lawsuit against the wavepool designer, manufacturer, tube maker, and the wave pool operator. Settled Before Trial.
Why Hire an Experienced Wheelchair Injury Lawyer?
Navigating a wheelchair defect lawsuit requires specialized knowledge and experience. At Willis Law Firm we have a deep understanding of product liability law and a track record of success in holding large corporations accountable. Here’s why choosing our firm can make a difference in your case:
Our lead attorney has over 40 years of trial experience and is a former attorney for the Supreme Court of Texas and is a Board-Certified Personal Injury Trial Lawyer certified by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization, since 1988.
We have a thorough understanding of the complexities involved in wheelchair defect cases, including the technical aspects of design flaws and manufacturing errors and how to prove the defect in court.
While looking at a broken or failed part, it seems proving the defect should be simple, but in high-stakes serious injury litigation against a wheelchair maker, we must often hire top experts in engineering metallurgists, warnings experts, medical experts, economists and life care consultants to meet the strict burdens of proof in a court of law.
We are committed to fighting for the maximum compensation for your injuries, pain, and suffering, medical expenses and other damages that you may incur or likely will also incur into the future. Our goal is to hold negligent manufacturers accountable and prevent future harm to others and get you what you deserve.
We believe that financial concerns should not prevent you from seeking justice. All wheelchair injury cases are handled on a contingency fee basis, meaning you pay no fees or expenses unless we recover compensation for you.
Time is of the essence in filing a claim. Each state has specific deadlines, known as statutes of limitations, which determine how long you have to file a lawsuit. Missing these filing deadlines can prevent you from pursuing your claim. Our team will ensure that your case is filed timely and accurately, but don’t wait as preparing a case for trial can take months of preparation.
In every product defect case, the defective product itself is the most important piece of evidence. The defective product or part must be preserved, photographed and secured for later inspection. If the product (evidence) disappears, gets altered or destroyed, this will greatly affect your ability to pursue a case. Don’t Delay – Call Us Immediately
When You Are Injured - Experience Counts
No Fees or Expenses Charged, Unless You Recover
Former Attorney for the Supreme Court of Texas.
Willis was only one of eighteen attorneys selected to serve as a briefing attorney for Justice Robert M. Campbell on the Texas Supreme Court in Austin, Texas in 1984. In this very sought after position, Willis worked side by side with the Justices in discussions of current cases, researching and helping to draft some of the actual court opinions that became law. The observations and insights learned by Willis have been invaluable in his career to understanding the legal system from behind the closed doors.
Board Certified Personal Injury Trial Lawyer since 1988.
Willis is a Board-Certified Personal Injury Trial Lawyer certified by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization. In order to be board certified, an attorney must meet strict requirements of being lead counsel in many personal injury lawsuits, get high peer review from other trial lawyers and trial Judges along with sitting for Board Examinations. Less than 2% of the attorneys in Texas possess important certification.
National Awards for Contribution in Past Cases.
In 2001, Willis was awarded the prestigious national Steven J. Sharp Public Service Award for his contributions in uncovering damaging evidence against Ford Motor Company and Firestone Tire, regarding the massive coverup of the Ford Explorer SUVs and defective Firestone Tire causing rollover accidents. The evidence uncovered helped lead to a nationwide recall of millions of tires and public awareness of the dangers of these products.
Free Case Evaluation - Contact Us Today
If you or a loved one has been injured due to a defective wheelchair, don’t wait to seek legal advice. We are here to help you understand your rights and pursue the compensation you deserve. Contact us today for a free consultation and let us help you take the first step toward justice and recovery. Call us or fill out the form below.