In a harrowing case of alleged negligence and product liability, the family of Michelle Stokes has filed a lawsuit against several companies following her tragic death. The complaint was lodged by Casey Janis on behalf of his minor children, along with Debra and Raymond Stokes, in the United States District Court for the Western District of Louisiana on February 7, 2025. The defendants named in the suit include Rent-A-Center East, Inc., Rent-A-Center, LLC, Upbound Group, Inc., NAKTO, and Venetian Worldwide LLC.
The case stems from an incident on March 20, 2024, when Michelle Stokes was fatally injured while riding an e-bike at an intersection in DeRidder, Louisiana. According to the plaintiffs' claims, Rent-A-Center Defendants had rented out this e-bike to Michelle just a day before the accident. The plaintiffs allege that the e-bike had a defective throttle which was inadequately repaired with tape by Rent-A-Center employees who assured Michelle it was safe to use. Tragically, this defect is believed to have contributed to her fatal accident.
Further investigation revealed that the e-bike was manufactured by NAKTO and distributed by Venetian Worldwide LLC. The plaintiffs invoke the Louisiana Products Liability Act (La. R.S. 9:2800.51), asserting that all involved parties are liable as "manufacturers" due to their roles in selling or influencing the design and safety features of the e-bike.
The lawsuit accuses these companies of failing to ensure that their product met safety standards and provided adequate warnings about potential hazards. It argues that there were feasible alternative designs available at the time which could have prevented such a tragedy. Moreover, it claims that these defects existed either when the bike left the manufacturers' control or resulted from foreseeable alterations.
As compensation for their immense loss and suffering, Casey Janis seeks damages on behalf of his children for both survival actions related to their mother's pain before death and wrongful death claims for themselves. This includes mental anguish endured by Michelle post-accident until her passing; loss of companionship; financial support she would have provided; funeral expenses; and other associated costs.
Debra and Raymond Stokes also seek damages under a bystander action claim due to witnessing their daughter's demise shortly after it occurred—a deeply traumatic experience causing severe emotional distress.
Represented by attorneys from Lundy LLP—Matthew E. Lundy, Gary L. Blanchard, and Matthew A. Rogers—the plaintiffs demand accountability from all defendants involved through a jury trial seeking general damages alongside specific relief measures outlined within legal frameworks applicable here.
The presiding judge over this matter is Judge James David Cain Jr., with Magistrate Judge Thomas P. LeBlanc assisting in proceedings under Case ID 2:25-cv-00141.