A cyclist is suing Giant after a bike he bought failed five months later while he was out riding, causing him to crash and suffer further injuries. He broke his back in four places as a result of the crash and says the incident has brought on other serious lingering problems.
The injured road racing cyclist's claim is based on his account that the fork separated from the steerer tube while he was riding at about 24km per hour, causing him to fall head-first and land on his face.
Ben Norbury, a 39-year-old amateur cyclist who races in Britain, is suing for £200,000, or €230,000. He bought the Giant Propel Advanced 2 bike for £2,200 before it failed last year, some five months after the purchase.
According to The Times newspaper in Britain, Giant's UK subsidiary initially denied liability. It claimed Norbury had changed the stem and handlebars on the bike and that those modifications had effectively contributed to the bike's failure.
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However, it is also reported the company - Giant UK - has now admitted fault, though the sum to be paid to the rider has yet to be determined.
In legal submissions to the High Court in Britain, Norbury's lawyers said the crash occurred so quickly he had no time to break his fall and suffered a number of injuries, aside from the damage to his back. These injuries included to his nose and teeth as well as concussion. The crash occurred close to his home at Sandbach, Cheshire.
A member of Congleton Cycling Club, he was an avid cyclist who competed in road races, TTs and hill climbs but, according to his legal case, he has struggled to get back cycling and regain his fitness.
The court was also told he needed spinal surgery after the crash and suffered from flashbacks and trauma as well as lingering pain. He also had issues with mood swings, memory and other symptoms such as anxiety-based dreams. A recent court hearing was told Giant UK had conceded liability.
