WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. (BRAIN) — A Florida woman is suing Walmart Inc. on behalf of a minor injured after his e-bike's front wheel detached during what the lawsuit says was normal operation.
Therese Evans is identified as the natural parent and guardian of the minor identified in court documents as "L.E." On Nov. 1, 2025, he was riding the Ridstar e-bike she purchased from Walmart on Aug. 29 "in a reasonably foreseeable manner" when it "suddenly and catastrophically failed when the front wheel unexpectedly detached." L.E. was thrown and suffered "severe and permanent injuries."
While the lawsuit alleges that Walmart should have known about complaints, customer reports, warranty claims, product failures, and other information that Ridstar e-bikes presented a safety risk. In June, the Consumer Product Safety Commission issued a second warning in the past three months about some Ridstar e-bikes, including one concerning the front wheel detaching without warning.
The complaint doesn't cite a total dollar amount in damages, but it says L.E. "sustained bodily injuries resulting in pain and suffering, disability, disfigurement, mental anguish, loss of the capacity for the enjoyment of life, expenses of hospitalization, medical and nursing care and treatment, loss of earnings, loss of the ability to earn money, and aggravation of a previously existing condition."
On Aug. 14, medical bills were presented that currently total in excess of $120,000. Evans is asking for damages in excess of $50,000, all costs, pre-judgment interest where applicable, and a jury trial.
The lawsuit was initially filed July 30 in Palm Beach County Circuit Court, but the case was moved to the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida on Monday.
