BELLEVILLE, Ill. (CN) - A poorly designed John Deere lawnmower threw a man onto a post and impaled his scrotum, the man claims in court.
Larry Faust and his wife sued Deere & Co. and Shiloh Valley Equipment Co. in St. Clair County Court.
Faust says he was using his John Deere Z445 EZTRAK Zero-Turn Mower when it failed to stop and threw him onto a metal post.
He claims Deere negligently designed the mower because the upper bolt in the right-hand steering lever can catch on the lift stop bracket, causing the steering lever to remain in the forward position. He says there is no guard to prevent the right hand steering lever from catching on the lift stop bracket, and no warnings about it.
He seeks damages for product liability and negligence. His wife seeks damages for loss of consortium.
They are represented by Thomas Lech, with Runge and Lech, of Collinsville, Ill.
Faust says he bought the mower at Shiloh Valley Equipment Company.
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