A shocking lawsuit has been filed against two corporations over a catastrophic bicycle malfunction that resulted in severe injuries. Alan Pickett, the plaintiff, filed the complaint on July 16, 2024, in the Superior Court of California, County of Santa Clara, accusing OpenE Technologies, Inc., and ACT Fulfillment Services, Inc., of negligence and strict product liability.
According to the court documents, Alan Pickett was riding his newly purchased Fiido T1 Utility Electric Bicycle on July 17, 2022, when the bike's frame suddenly broke in half. This unexpected failure caused Pickett to be violently thrown onto the concrete road below. The incident left him with severe injuries including a massive complete rotator cuff tear that required surgery along with significant abrasions and contusions. The lawsuit claims that both OpenE Technologies and ACT Fulfillment Services were responsible for designing, manufacturing, testing, assembling, selling, distributing, and placing into commerce a defective product.
The complaint details how both companies failed to provide adequate warnings or instructions about the significant dangers associated with their electric bicycles. "Defendants knew or had reason to know that these bicycles had inherent design and/or manufacturing defects which resulted in the manufacture of a bicycle that would break during operation," states one section of the filing. It further alleges that both companies continued to sell these defective bikes despite knowing about their potential dangers.
Pickett is seeking various forms of relief from the court. He is asking for general damages to be determined at trial for his physical and emotional suffering. Additionally, he seeks compensation for medical expenses already incurred as well as future healthcare costs related to his injuries. The lawsuit also demands punitive damages aimed at punishing OpenE Technologies and ACT Fulfillment Services for what it describes as "despicable, malicious and reprehensible conduct." Furthermore, Pickett requests compensation for loss of income and earning capacity due to his inability to work following the accident.
The case is being handled by attorneys Elise R. Sanguinetti from Arias Sanguinetti Wang & Team LLP based in Emeryville, California, and Andrew S. Bullard from Payne Mitchell Ramsey Law Group based in Dallas, Texas. The case ID is 24CV443123 and it will be presided over by Judge C. Roman.