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Woman sues distributor for injuries in ATV accident
4/18/2008 8:12 AM By Cara Bailey  -Ohio Bureau

WHEELING - An ATV distributor is being sued by a woman who was injured when her ATV rolled over, crushing her right hand.

Laura Lewis filed the suit Feb. 21 in Ohio Circuit Court, against K&T Cycles and Yamaha Motor Corporation. K&T Motors, in Romney, sell ATVs, motorcycles and other Yamaha products.

According to the suit, Ronald Lewis, Laura Lewis's husband, bought a 2006 Yamaha Rhino ATV from the Romney facility Sept. 25, 2006.

Laura Lewis was a passenger on the ATV on Oct. 2, 2006, in Maryland, when it rolled over on its side during a routine maneuver on a level surface. According to the suit, Lewis's right hand became trapped between the vehicle and the ground, crushing her right upper extremity and causing multiple fractures of her hand and fingers.

The injury required extensive surgery, including the use of metal pin and hardware to fix the bones, the suit says.

Lewis claims that after the surgery, her right hand began to exhibit signs of reflex sympathetic dystrophy, a painful neurological condition that has worsened over time, the suit says.

According to the suit, Lewis has suffered stiffness and extreme sensitivity in her affected hand, which resulted in limitations of her ability to use the hand, and a permanently disfigured hand.

Lewis claims K&T is negligent by allowing design defects relating to rollover risks, and failed to install a retrofit kit intended to protect the limbs of Rhino ATV users.

Lewis seeks compensatory and punitive damages for her injuries.

Attorney Mary J. Williams is representing Lewis. The case has been assigned to Judge Arthur M. Recht.

Ohio Circuit Court case number 08-C-85

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Comments on this article

  • Awesome!

    More frivolous lawsuits to bleed money any way you can. And I'm sure it was a "routine" maneuver, too. I should sue everyone for every time I crashed, too. Much better to blame someone else, isn't it?

    by Matt

    url:

  • Idiot

    You know this crap is getting out of hand. money hungry lawyers and sue happy americans looking to blame somebody and try to get some financial reward for their own stupidity. I have owned a Yamaha Rhino for years and NEVER HAVE ROLLED IT! And the only time I come close is when I am doing anything but a "routine manuever". This is crap, why dont you sue the moron driving that flipped you. Oh ouch, now my fingers hurt from typing, I am going to sue Office Depot for selling me a computer without a writs rest! Give Me a Break!!!

    by Joey D.

    url:

  • rhino rollover

    my daughter was injured when the rhino she was driving at a miniumum of 5 mph rolled over when she attempted to make a left hand turn landing on her ankle crushing it she is still on cruthes 5 weeks later with 6 screws and a plate in her ankel she is confined to a wheelchair she is 15 years old. these very dangerous vehicles need to be taken off the market

    by jerri bufano

    url:

  • Rhino accidents

    I lost my 18 year old daughter in a Rhino rollover. She was driving carefully but the Rhino rolled when Dani made a low-speed left hand turn. The Rhino was not mine. Instead, it belonged to an acquaintance who did not instruct or warn my daughter. There have been many accidents involving young and old persons but Yamaha failed to make the Rhino safer or warn that it has a tendency to roll. Go to www.rhinorollovers.com to read about some cases. I am not opposed to ATVs or offroad riding. I am only opposed when a manufacturer does not warn of the dangers or take steps to make the vehicle safer. Here, the Rhino has a high center of gravity and narrow track, ingridients for disaster as in my case. All I ask is for you to be cautious and for Yamaha to make a safer vehicle.

    by Bob Berends

    url:

  • Sorry she suffers from RSD/CRPS

    I am sorry she suffers now from Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy, aka, Complex Regional Pain Syndrome. Hopefully she has/is finding the support to help her deal with this horrible condition. To learn more, please visit: RSDS.org and RSDHope.org

    by Christine

    url: http://AfflictedWithRSD.com

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