PHILADELPHIA – Litigants have sued the manufacturer and distributor of a lawnmower which allegedly malfunctioned and maimed one of the plaintiffs, in a products liability action.
Ronald Hangey and Rosemary Hangey of Green Lane filed suit on Jan. 24 in the Philadelphia County Court of Common Pleas, against Husqvarna Professional Products, Inc. of Charlotte, N.C. and Trumbauer’s Lawn and Recreation, Inc. of Quakertown.
“On or about May 16, 2013, plaintiff Ronald Hangey purchased a riding lawnmower manufactured by defendant, Husqvarna, Model No. RZ4824F, VIN No. 100512C001003 which he purchased new from defendant, Trumbauer’s,” the suit says.
“On or about Aug. 5, 2016, plaintiff Ronald Hangey was operating the lawnmower at his property located at 370 Crosstown Highway, Lakewood, 18439 when he was unexpectedly thrown forward off the mower and came to rest at the bottom of a drainage area and/or hollow,” the suit adds.
“After Mr. Hangey was thrown forward off the mower, it continued down into the drainage area and/or hollow where it proceeded to roll over Mr. Hangey’s legs, with the blades still moving at high speed resulting in severe and catastrophic injuries to both of Mr. Hangey’s legs,” the suit continues. “After miraculously crawling out of the hollow and to a neighbor’s home, Mr. Hangey was airlifted to Geisinger Medical Center and subsequently transported to Lehigh Valley Hospital in critical condition.”
In the accident, Ronald suffered “severe lacerations to both lower extremities, traumatic injuries to both lower extremities, massive blood loss, degloving injuries to the lower extremities," plus a number of surgeries including tissue transplants and skin grafts, infections requiring a number of hospitalizations and many other injuries.
The plaintiffs believe the defendants had a responsibility to manufacture and sell lawnmowers safe for use, and placed “profits and production” over the safety of the injured plaintiff.
For charges of negligence and strict liability, Ronald is seeking damages in excess of $50,000, including compensatory and delay damages, plus allowable costs. Rosemary seeks identical damages for loss of consortium.
The plaintiffs are represented by Robert J. Mongeluzzi of Saltz Mongeluzzi Barrett & Bendesky, in Philadelphia.
Philadelphia County Court of Common Pleas case 170103377
From the Pennsylvania Record: Reach Courts Reporter Nicholas Malfitano at nickpennrecord@gmail.com