Man claims product liability in wheelchair accident

A quadriplegic Jefferson Parish man is suing an electric wheelchair manufacturer claiming product liability after a piece of the wheelchair broke and caused him to fall while he was riding in a van in Orleans Parish.

Derrick Edwards is suing Permobil Inc. and Praxair Inc. and their insurers, claiming he suffered injuries to his head, neck, shoulders, upper back and spine after a component that secures him in his disability van broke and cause him to fall backwards.

New Orleans attorney Timothy Richardson filed the petition for damages in Orleans Parish Civil District Court on June 29.

The suit claims that the accident occurred as a result "of the collapse of the C500 Permobile wheelchair" Edwards was using at the time.

Edwards suffered "severe neck and upper back pain for which he has sought and continues to receive medical care" in the form of prescription medication and physical therapy for his neck and upper back.

The suit claims the C500 wheelchair was "unreasonably dangerous in construction and composition" and "in design," among several other charges.

The suit claims Praxair is liable for selling the defective product, the suit claims.

Orleans Parish Judge Ethel Julien has been assigned this case.

Orleans Parish Case 2011-6952