SOUTH KINGSTOWN, R.I. (BRAIN) — A man is suing Shimano North America and Trek Bicycle for $2 million in damages after his bike's Shimano V-brake lever impaled his thigh during a fall on a bike path.
The lawsuit filed Jan. 29 by Timothy Lynch in U.S. District Court for the District of Rhode Island asks for a jury trial, alleging Shimano improperly designed the lever, described as "metallic with a thin end" and should have designed it so that it "would have lessened or eliminated the danger of impalement and laceration injuries to bike riders."
Trek Bicycle, the lawsuit alleges, also should have known the lever design was faulty and could cause impalement during a fall and "failed to inspect and assess the safety of the V-brake for end users before installing it on the subject bike."
In addition to alleging negligent design, the lawsuit cites both defendants for failure to warn, and breach of warranty.
A Trek spokesperson told BRAIN on Monday that the brand doesn't comment on active lawsuits. A Shimano spokesperson also declined comment.
In 2017, Lynch purchased a "Trek Level I road bike" and on June 29, 2022, was riding it on a South Kingstown bike path when he applied his brakes to avoid hitting another bike's back wheel. He lost his balance and fell on his right side. The suit alleges that while Lynch was falling, the left lever tore a 12-inch laceration in his left thigh.
The South Kingstown Fire Department arrived and Lynch was transported to Rhode Island Hospital Emergency Room. He spent 10 days in the hospital, where he had three surgeries and a skin graft from his right thigh. The lawsuit says he has permanent numbness around the injured area and scarring.
