Each year, hundreds of small children are tragically maimed by riding lawnmowers backing up with the cutting blades turning. The children most frequently injured by backover blade contact are ages two to five. Virtually all of these accidental injuries could have been prevented if the manufacturer of the lawnmower had used a simple and inexpensive “no mow in reverse” safety feature.
No mow in reverse safety features have been incorporated by some manufacturers since the early 1980s. In 2003, the industry voted to create a voluntary standard requiring the no mow in reverse feature. Unfortunately, the standard allows for an override to no mow in reverse. This override defeats the safety purpose of the no mow in reverse feature and presents a hazard for children. Several children have been injured by mowers with override systems.
Our firm is currently handling a case involving a three year-old boy who lost his right arm and suffered additional injuries in a mower backover accident. This tragic accident, like many others, could have been prevented if the defendant manufacturer had implemented the no mow in reverse feature into their riding mowers.
If your child or a child of someone you know has been injured in a lawnmower backover accident, contact our office today and ask to speak to attorneys David Hodge and Jeff Kirby.