Invacare Corporation of Ohio, a manufacturer of motorized wheelchairs and hospital beds, has been sued for $8.5 million in a wrongful death and product liability lawsuit.
Karlene Willemsen, a 60-year-old resident of Portland, Oregon, died last year in a fire at her home. The lawsuit alleges that the fire was caused by product defects in Willemsen’s wheelchair. Invacare Corporation is the main defendant in the lawsuit, but the family is also seeking compensation from companies that manufacture component parts of the wheelchair as well as companies that sell the product.
The lawsuit claims that Willemsen’s wheelchair caught on fire and burned her. She suffered from multiple sclerosis, which inhibited her ability to move. Medical records indicate that she was still alive and fully aware during the fire. She suffered severe burns, physical injuries, and psychological trauma before her death.
This is not the first time that the Ohio-based Invacare Corp. has faced lawsuits over their products. In 2002, the company settled a defective product lawsuit for over $7 million. The case involved another one of their wheelchairs that caught fire and burned an elderly quadriplegic woman. Invacare has also been sued three other times over fatal wheelchair fires. In 2000, the company recalled 200,000 wheelchairs to fix defects in their charging systems.
When companies fail to take the proper steps to ensure that their products are safe for consumers, they may be held liable for injuries caused due to the product defects. It is important to consult with an experienced defective product lawyer if you have been injured due to a product defect. These negligent companies must be held accountable for their actions.
If you have a product liability or wrongful death claim in the Columbus, Ohio area, please contact the Law Offices of Robert W. Kerpsack Co., L.P.A. today to schedule a consultation.
