Settlement for Injuries Caused by a Defective Bike

Levenes have acted in a number of cases recently involving defective bicycles and this case study concerns one of our recent settlements.

Cycling has become ever more popular. During the Covid-19 lockdown, a lot of people started cycling or returned to cycling after years of not having done so.

One of those who decided to buy a bicycle was our client. She bought a bicycle through the Cycle to Work scheme through a large and very well-known online cycling retailer.

On the first day she rode her bike, disaster struck. The basket mounted on the front fell off and upon coming into contact with the front wheel, it acted as a break on the wheel and caused it to stop very abruptly. Even though the Claimant was only riding slowly, her forward momentum took her over the handlebars, and she crashed to the ground, suffering a serious elbow fracture as a result which required two operations.

It turned out that there was a known problem with the way in which the basket was mounted.

Cannondale, the maker of the bike, had issued a recall notice about 3 weeks before the bike was sold, and although this was widely circulated in the cycling retail industry press, the retailer had failed to withdraw the bike from sale, nor did they contact the Claimant after the sale to alert her to the problem.

The recall notice can be found here.

Levenes pursued the claim against the retailer of the bike rather than Cannondale.

A claim could have been made against Cannondale, but as our client had a contract for the purchase of the bike, she had the right to pursue the retailer.

The retailer admitted liability and later after medical reports were obtained, settlement was agreed.

Our client was very happy with the service she received from our solicitor, Tim Beasley, who represented her:-

“At the start of the case I was in a lot of pain and very nervous, Tim quickly put us at ease, explained the process, was always responsive and happy to answer our many questions, and offered sound advice”

Have you suffered defective product injuries or illness?

We expect the products we buy to be fit for purpose and in a safe, good condition. Unfortunately, this is not always the case. Any faulty product can cause injury and if it does, you can make a claim against the seller or manufacturer.

Product Injury Compensation Claims

It is very important to get legal advice quickly if you believe you have been injured when using a defective product. Naturally you will want to complain to the shop where you bought it, but they are likely to ask you to return the product. If you give it to them, you might find later that you have given up the evidence. Get in touch with Levenes expert personal injury lawyers to find out whether you have a claim.

Get in touch today and find out within 1 hour if you have a claim. Call us on 0800 048 2355 or request a call back now.