A St. Clair County couple filed suit against two furniture manufacturers and distributors based on separate purchases of the defendants' products, claiming a swivel chair broke and collapsed after the husband attempted to sit in it.
David Schrader and Carolee Schrader filed a lawsuit on June 4 in St. Clair County Circuit Court against Glassforms, Inc. and Jiaxing Hengyu Co. Ltd., alleging product negligence.
According to the complaint, the Schraders purchased six St. Augustine swivel chairs manufactured and sold by the defendants on Aug. 24, 2007 and June 17, 2012. The suit alleged that when David Schrader sat in one of the chairs on June 8, 2013, it collapsed without warning.
The Shraders alleged that the furniture's failure was due to a defective spring plate. The couple claims the fall aggravated a pre-existing back condition, necessitating surgery and causing pain, suffering, disfigurement and disability. David Shrader alleged lost income and earning capacity. Additionally, Carolee Shrader alleges loss of consortium.
The Schraders seek damages in excess of $50,000, plus attorneys’ fees and costs.
The couple is represented by James Mendillo and Jason Kleindorfer of Freeark, Harvey & Mendillo in Belleville.
St. Clair County Circuit Court case number 15-L-329