The family of a woman injured in a golf cart accident at the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo in February recently filed a personal injury lawsuit on her behalf.
The woman was reportedly a volunteer at the rodeo for some 30 years. She now remains in a coma, as a result of a severe brain injury she reportedly suffered after being thrown from a golf cart following a concert the night of February 25. According to the woman’s family, her medical bills are already past a half of a million dollars.
A statement from one of the attorneys in the case stated that the evidence will show that the driver of the golf cart was at fault for not being adequately trained to drive in a safe manner, and that the golf cart manufacturer is additionally liable for a defective design.
The case alleges that the golf cart that the woman was riding at the time of the accident lacked safety features such as seatbelts or handles. According to the legal team, some 15,000 people are thrown from dangerous golf carts nationwide every year, a majority of which are purportedly caused by sharp left turns.
The case reportedly focuses on negligence and product liability claims. The victim of the accident remains in a coma, and has a steep road of surgeries and recovery ahead.
From the information that was reported, it isn’t completely clear who is being sued for negligence. Since the plaintiff’s attorney claims that the driver was negligent because they were not properly trained in safe driving, this could mean that the driver is a defendant, or it could mean that only the rodeo is a defendant, for having failed to properly train its volunteers/employees. What is most likely the case is that the driver would be treated as an agent of the employer, meaning that he or she could potentially avoid individual liability for the alleged negligent driving.
The product liability claim against the manufacturer of the golf cart focuses on the duty for companies to ensure that their products are safe. Mentioning the 15,000 individuals being thrown from a cart per year is meant to illustrate the point that manufacturers should be on notice that their safety measures are inadequate for the way the product is currently designed.
If you or a loved one has sustained a personal injury in Maryland or Washington D.C. due to someone else’s negligence, consult the experienced personal injury attorneys at Lebowitz & Mzhen Personal Injury Lawyers. Our law firm has extensive experience in helping victims recover the damages they are entitled to. We have successfully represented individuals hurt in many different kinds of accidents, including medical malpractice, car accidents, birth injuries, and slip and fall accidents. Contact us today in order to schedule your free initial consultation. You can reach us through our website, or by calling 1-800-654-1949.
More Blog Posts:
Maryland High Court Refuses to Hold Bar Liable for Drunken Patron Actions, Maryland Accident Law Blog, published July 26, 2013
Maryland Judge Refuses to Dismiss Suit Alleging College Ignored Warning Signs in Dangerous Student, Maryland Accident Law Blog, published July 22, 2013