A Fenton man says he was severely injured while riding a defective electric skateboard.
Matthew Helfrich filed his lawsuit in federal court against Future Motion Inc. alleging severe physical and mental injuries along with economic harm.
According to the complaint, Helfrich purchased the OneWheel+ electric skateboard December 28, 2018.
Helfrich says the device was designed, developed, constructed, assembled, manufactured, inspected, tested, packaged, labeled, marketed, advertised, promoted, distributed and sold by Future Motion.
He says he was riding the OneWheel+ with a fully charged battery on January 6, 2019, on a relatively flat paved road in his neighborhood at about 15 mph when it suddenly nosedived and abruptly stopped, throwing him onto the paved road before he rolled into a ditch.
Helfrich says he suffered a lateral tibial plateau fracture, injuries to his left knee and left ankle as well as other bodily injuries and abrasions that required immediate medical attention. He says he was required to undergo surgery to his leg that required placing screws and pins in his leg.
Because of the injuries, he says he was required to miss approximately three months of work.
He seeks compensatory damages, punitive damages, pre- and post-judgment interests, attorney fees, court costs and other relief.