Marine Corps law enforcement employee sues after workout equipment allegedly throws him into wall

NEW ORLEANS – A Plaquemines Parish man and his wife are suing several fitness companies after a workout machine at the U.S. Marine Corps Support Facility allegedly malfunctioned and injured him.

Ricky Harrison, and wife Donna, filed suit against Morgan Enterprises Inc., Fitserve, GP Industries Inc., Brunswick Corporation, Life Fitness Inc., Life Fitness International Sales Inc. and Life Fitness Recreation LLC in Orleans Parish Civil District Court on Aug. 22.

Harrison claims that he was injured on Aug. 27, 2013. Harrison, an employee of the U.S. Marine Corps Law Enforcement Division, alleges that the machine he was using had an attached handle that disconnected from the equipment and propelled him into the facility's wall.

Harrison charges that the workout equipment and handle were manufactured, sold, distributed, installed and maintained by the defendants.

The petition alleges that Ricky Harrison sustained injuries to his head, neck, back, shoulders, legs and arms.

The defendants are accused of negligence, including manufacturing, assembling, marketing, and/or selling a product which was unreasonably dangerous in construction, composition and design. The defendants are further accused of failing to provide adequate warning about the product and failing to properly train employees.

The plaintiffs are seeking over $75,000 in damages for medical, custodial and rehabilitation expenses, as well as mental and emotional pain and suffering, physical pain, suffering, disability, disfigurement and lost wages, income and earning capacity.

Ricky and Donna Harrison are represented by Darren D. Sumich of Cossich, Sumich, Parsiola & Taylor LLC.

The case has been assigned to District G Judge Robin M. Giarrusso.

Case no. 2014-08360.