PITTSBURGH – Administrators of a woman's estate allege that her death was caused by a fire ignited by an electric wheelchair.
Paul Bennett and Raquel Ricketts, co-administrators of the estate of Catherine Ricketts filed a complaint in the Court of Common Pleas of Allegheny County against Pride Mobility Products Corp. and United Seating and Mobility LLC, doing business as Numotion alleging negligence and other counts.
According to the complaint, Numotion provided Catherine Ricketts with a powered wheelchair for a health condition in December 2012 that was manufactured by Pride Mobility Products Corp. The suit states that a fire broke out at Catherine Ricketts' home on Dec. 31, 2014, and that she succumbed to the fire.
The city of Pittsburgh Department of Public Safety Bureau of Fire and Police Arson Division investigated the fire and ruled that the fire had originated at the floor level where the defendants' chair was stored, the suit states. The plaintiffs allege the chair ignited and caused the fire.
The plaintiffs hold Pride Mobility Products Corp. and United Seating and Mobility LLC responsible because the defendants allegedly failed to ensure the product was safe for its intended use.
The plaintiffs seek judgment against the defendants for compensatory damages. They are represented by Victor H. Pribanic and Ernest J. Pribanic of Pribanic & Pribanic LLC in White Oak, Pennsylvania.
Court of Common Pleas of Allegheny County case number GD-16-024753