EDWARDSVILLE — A woman claims she lost part of her thumb while using a North American Outfitters' crossbow due to a product safety defect.
Elizabeth Hitch filed a complaint Oct. 30 in the Madison County Circuit Court against Hunter's Manufacturing Company Inc., doing business as Tenpoint Crossbow Technologies and North American Outfitters Inc., alleging products liability negligence and consumer fraud.
According to the complaint, Hitch claims that on Nov. 4, 2019, she was using a Tenpoint Titan HLX crossbow manufactured and sold by the defendants to hunt deer. She alleges in her suit that while firing the crossbow, the bowstring "violently struck" her left thumb and amputated the "distal section" of the thumb.
Hitch claims the crossbow was in its "unaltered" and "original condition" when she used it during the alleged incident and that the defendants "had knowledge" of other crossbow users who suffered finger and thumb injuries. She further claims in her suit that the defendants released a "grip guard" in 2011 as a safety remedy. However, Hitch and other individuals who previously purchased the crossbow were not notified that the safety guard was available or that a newer model had a thumb guard. Hitch alleges the defendants concealed information about the "dangerous design" of its crossbow.
Hitch seeks compensation of more than $50,000 and all other just relief. She is represented by Matthew Chapman of Becker, Schroader & Chapman PC in Granite City.
Madison County Circuit Court case number 20-L-001532