Products liability claim filed against makers of automatic swinging door system

An employee of a senior living facility in Chester County has filed a products liability

lawsuit against the makers of an automatic swinging door system over claims that she became injured after the device inadvertently closed on one of her limbs.

Philadelphia attorney Scott A. Portner, of the firm Freedman and Lorry, filed the federal complaint Nov. 28 at the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania on behalf of Coatesville, Pa. resident Morgan Black.

The defendant named in the suit is Connecticut-based Stanley Access Technologies LLC.

According to the complaint, Black, while working in her capacity as a server for Freedom Village of Brandywine back on Dec. 4, 2010, became injured when the defendants’ Magic-Swing Door System unexpectedly closed on her right wrist and forearm.

As a result of the incident, the plaintiff sustained severe physical injuries, the suit claims.

Black also ended up suffering from orthopedic and neurological injuries, as well as a shock to her nervous system.

The plaintiff was also caused to expend various sums of money on medical treatment relating to her injuries, the lawsuit claims.

The complaint accuses the defendant of strict liability, negligence and breach of warranty.

It faults the manufacturing company for putting a “defective” product on the market, and for failing to take the proper steps to ensure the device was safe for public use.

“The closure of the door on Plaintiff’s right wrist and forearm … was a ‘malfunction’ of the product which occurred in the absence of abnormal use and any other reasonable secondary causes,” the lawsuit reads.

Black seeks damages in excess of $75,000 together with other legal relief.

There has also been a demand for a jury trial.

The federal case number is 2:12-cv-06644-MMB.