Anyone visiting a local mall may have seen a security guard scooting around on a two wheeled upright transportation device called a Segway scooter. These upright scooters which are controlled by leaning in a particular direction have become the stuff of comic fodder on television sitcoms and movies like Mall Cop. Despite these depictions as amusing but harmless gadgets, these images mask a darker side to Segway scooter vehicles that may result in devastating injuries. A Connecticut man who was severely injured in a Segway accident won a judgment against the company for $10 million last month.
John Ezzo, 23, was injured during a competition that was coordinated by the New Hampshire based company Segway Inc. that manufactures the odd looking two wheel upright scooters. The competitors were asked to navigate an obstacle course while wearing blindfolds. Segway Inc. did not provide helmets to the competitors. While it may be legitimately asked how the company did not see disaster on the spectrum, Ezzo predictably fell off the Segway and suffered a traumatic brain injury when his head impacted the ground. Ironically, the company recommends that consumers that purchase Segway scooters wear helmets when operating the devices so the jury may have been influenced by the company failing to follow its own safety warnings designed to reduce the risk of injury associated with the vehicles.
The size of the jury verdict represented both economic damages like lost income, medical costs and partial future disability as well as non-economic damages like pain and suffering and impaired quality of life. Ezzo who is young was forced to quit college and now works doing odd jobs as a handyman. The difference in earning potential after suffering his injuries over the course of his lifetime is compensable. The pain and suffering and impaired enjoyment of life also is considered over his expected life span which means that his relative youth typically justifies more extensive damages.
Segway scooters are becoming increasingly popular and can be fun forms or recreation, but they can also be dangerous. They lack safety equipment such as structural protection, seat belts or air bags, and they are unstable compared to other forms of transportation. Falls from Segway scooters can result in catastrophic head injuries and even wrongful death especially when they are operated without a helmet. If you or someone you love has been injured in a Segway accident or other accident involving a scooter, our experienced Mississippi personal injury attorneys at Barrett Law have been zealously pursuing compensation for injury victim for over 75 years. We provide diligent legal representation and impassioned advocacy so we invite you to call us today at 662-834-2376 to learn how we can help.