EDWARDSVILLE — A woman claims a Briggs Stratton riding mower's clutch/brake failure caused her to suffer serious injuries and permanent scarring.
Brenda Kelley filed a complaint Sept. 1 in the Madison County Circuit Court against CNV Inc., doing business as Bertels Sales and Service, and Briggs & Stratton Corporation, formerly known as Briggs & Stratton Power Products Group LLC, alleging strict liability, negligence and breach of implied warranty.
Kelley alleges in her complaint that on May 22, 2020, her friend Robert Blotevogel was using a Briggs Stratton rear-engine riding mower purchased from CNV when the mower became inoperable. She claims Blotevogel asked her to sit on the mower so he could move it into the garage when the clutch/brake failed and caused the mower to lose control.
Kelley alleges that as a result of the mower's defect, she suffered injuries to her neck, shoulder, back, arm, wrist, hand, hip, leg and suffered permanent scarring.
She claims the mower lacked "adequate protection" to keep the clutch/brake assembly from failing and lacked proper safety mechanisms. Kelley also claims the mower was made from improper materials and did not meet design requirements for its clutch/brake system. She alleges the mower was also not properly tested, had an inadequate weld on the drive axle and lacked proper instructions or warnings.
Kellye seeks compensation of more than $50,000, trial by jury and all other just relief. She is represented by Todd Muchnick and Aaron Haber of Muchnick Haber Margolis LC in St. Louis.
Madison County Circuit Court case number 21-L-001061