William Powers has filed a civil complaint against Home Depot U.S.A., Inc., doing business as Home Depot, alleging negligence, strict products liability, breach of implied warranty, and property damage. The complaint was filed on May 21, 2024, in the United States District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania.
According to the court documents, William Powers rented a Ford F-250 truck from a Home Depot store located at 255 Murtland Ave, Washington, PA on July 24, 2022. Powers intended to use the rental truck to transport an all-terrain vehicle (ATV). Upon arriving home and parking the truck on his inclined driveway with the parking brake engaged and gear shifted to park, he began loading the ATV into the truck bed using a ramp. Suddenly and without warning, despite being in park with the parking brake engaged, the truck started rolling forward down the driveway. In an attempt to avoid injury, Powers jumped off the ATV but was subsequently crushed by it when it rolled off the ramp.
The complaint details that a friend who was assisting Powers managed to stop the runaway truck by pressing its brake pedal. However, by then Powers had already sustained significant injuries including severe aggravation of osteoarthritis in his left hip, large hematoma over his left hip and thigh, pain in both knees, bruises and contusions across various parts of his body, as well as emotional distress.
Powers alleges that Home Depot failed in their duty to ensure that their rental trucks were safe for use. He claims that Home Depot negligently designed and maintained the rental truck which led to its defective condition—specifically pointing out issues with its parking brake and gear system. Furthermore, he accuses Home Depot of failing to provide adequate warnings about these potential hazards.
The plaintiff is seeking damages exceeding $75,000 for medical expenses incurred due to his injuries along with compensation for pain and suffering, lost earnings capacity, loss of enjoyment of life’s pleasures among other damages. Additionally, he seeks compensation for property damage amounting to $983.73 for his damaged ATV.
Representing William Powers are attorneys Peter D. Friday (Pa ID #48746), J. Patrick Denton (Pa ID #333533), and Madeline T. Stuchell (Pa ID #334611) from Friday & Cox LLC based in Pittsburgh.
Judge presiding over this case is yet unnamed under Case ID: 2:24-cv-00745-PLD.