Attorney John Gehlhausen protects the rights of victims and families of riding lawn tractor accidents and injuries. Contact our office to make an appointment with Mr. Gehlhausen.
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What compensation can I receive for my riding lawn mower accident?
The Law Offices of John Gehlhausen, P.C. will fight to help victims recover lost support, funeral expenses, medical-related expenses, and lost wages, as well as compensation for pain and suffering, lost companionship and other hardships...
What are the major causes of riding lawn mower accidents?
When used on ditch banks or inclines, riding lawn mowers can roll over and pin or crush the rider beneath their weight...
In the following article, riding lawn tractor accident attorney John Gehlhausen considers the hazardous nature of these machines, supported by data collected by the Consumer Product Safety Commission. Mr. Gehlhausen suggests that riding lawn tractor manufacturers should tell potential customers of this information so that riding mowers with safety frames are purchased. Based on his experience representing victims of riding lawn tractor rollover accidents, Mr. Gehlhausen also believes that 99% of rollover deaths and permanent injuries on lawn tractors can be prevented by the installation of Rollover Protective Systems.
THE REAL EXTENT OF THE RIDING LAWN MOWER ROLLOVER HAZARD
By: John Gehlhausen
Riding Mower Accident Product Liability Attorney
In 1968, Professor William McConnell at the University of Iowa published an article in which he analyzed 102 riding lawn tractor accidents. The overwhelming majority of those accidents involved situations in which the riding lawn tractor rolled over, resulting in significant injuries or even the death of the operator. By 1977 the rollover hazard of riding lawn mowers was so well known by safety professionals that the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) noted that riding lawn mowers were unreasonably dangerous because of rollovers. At that point in time only one manufacturer made safety frame systems (a roll bar and seatbelt), called a Rollover Protective System (ROPS), for their riding mower lawn tractors.
From 1980 through 2007, CPSC data involving lawn tractors show that between 57,000 and 58,000 people were taken to emergency rooms for further treatment because of lawn tractor rollovers. The limited CPSC statistics regarding deaths from rollovers show an average of 32 deaths a year. The data used to compile these statistics was available to manufacturers as it was accumulated by the CPSC.
In their sales literature, the manufacturers of these riding mowers do not tell potential customers of this CPSC data or its finding that these machines are unreasonably dangerous due to the rollover hazard. They don't tell buyers that rollovers occur in two seconds or less; they don't tell people that they often do not have time to jump free before the rolling tractor reaches a point of no return. Nor do they tell people that to jump free they would need to jump in the opposite direction of the rollover. In particular, they don't tell people that using a zero turning radius lawn tractor with lap bars for controls and also arm rests for comfort diminishes even further their already slim chances of falling free in a rollover without a safety frame rollover protective system (ROPS).
The only lawn tractor that does not have the potential for rollover is one that is not moving. The manufacturers do not publish this fact either. All these machines should be equipped with a ROPS consisting of a seatbelt and a rollover protective bar.
Riding lawn tractor accidents can cause serious injuries and even death - especially if the machine lacks the proper safety equipment. Manufacturers have a responsibility to lawn tractor users to install reasonable safety devices including rollover protective systems for these machines. If you or a loved one is the victim of a riding lawn tractor accident, contact attorney and safety advocate John Gehlhausen to schedule a consultation.