SEATTLE (BRAIN) — A Washington state man is suing Specialized Bicycle Components after suffering injuries following a crash on a Turbo Levo e-MTB he said was caused by a known motor defect.
According to the lawsuit filed Oct. 21 in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Washington, Steve Ruggiero of Bainbridge Island was riding his Turbo Levo in June on the Alpine Trail in Oakridge, Oregon. While in Eco mode, Ruggiero descended a steep section of trail and decelerated over a long flat section of loose shale. Beyond the shale, he encountered a loam surface when the rear wheel "spun out, due to the manufacturing flaw" called overrun, according to the complaint. That occurs when an e-bike accelerates beyond the mode set by the rider and can result in the wheel receiving excessive and unexpected power.
Ruggiero lost control, crashed, and heard the sound of ribs cracking. "When he opened his eyes and looked back, he saw the Turbo Levo on its side with a long 'J' shaped rut spun into the dirt where the rear wheel had suddenly accelerated and spun while driving him into the hillside," according to the lawsuit.
A couple days later he went to an urgent care clinic for x-rays that were negative. Later that night after awakening in more pain and fearing internal injuries, paramedics were called and he was taken to St. Michael's Hospital in Silverdale, where he was diagnosed with seven broken ribs on his left side but no other internal injuries. He remained in the hospital for three days.
The lawsuit alleges the design flaw that Specialized has been aware of was discussed on several online mountain bike forums since 2017 and continues to be discussed with several forum comments being included in the complaint.
Specialized has not responded for comment as of Wednesday afternoon.
After slowly healing, according to the lawsuit, Ruggiero has just started to resume some physical activity but he doesn't know if he'll be able to return to his previous level.
He asks for a jury trial and the awarding of general and specific damages in amounts to be proven; punitive damages in an amount to be shown at the trial; reasonable costs and attorneys' fees; any and all applicable interest on the judgement; and any further relief that the court determines proper.
