Motorized Wheelchair Sparks Fire That Kills Senior Man in His Southeast-Side Home

According to a KSAT News report, a man is dead after his motorized wheelchair started a house fire this week.

The fire reportedly broke out at around 11 a.m. Tuesday, June 11th, at a home on the 2700 block of Christian Drive. Firefighters found a 68-year-old man in the kitchen with a fire extinguisher nearby. He was taken to the hospital with third-degree burns, where he later died of his injuries. Fire investigators say that a motorized “scooter” was the cause of the fire, but it was not clear what had malfunctioned to cause it to burn. The Bexar County Medical Examiner’s Office is working to positively identify the victim. The investigation is ongoing.

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Did You Know?

Tips and falls account for a little over 65% of all wheelchair injuries in the United States.

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Wheelchair Injuries in San Antonio

Wheelchair injuries can happen to anyone anywhere in San Antonio.

As we age, we often struggle with mobility and need additional assistance getting around. Those who have suffered serious or debilitating injuries, regardless of their age, must do the same. In the process of being helped around by others, your risk of injury, both as a pedestrian and motorist, is high.

Common Causes of Wheelchair Injury

Tips and falls are not the only way you can be injured in a wheelchair accident. Other common causes of wheelchair injury include:

• Transportation Mishaps — Improper handling, defective lifts, unsecured chairs, and low visibility at pedestrian crossings all contribute to a high risk of transportation injuries.
• Defective Chairs — Broken or defective chairs can cause users to fall out or crash, resulting in serious injuries.
• Improper Handling — Staff at hospitals and nursing homes must be properly trained and incredibly careful to avoid injuring the user. Lack of supervision, transfer mishaps, tipping, and unlocked brakes are all common handler errors that cause injury.

This is by no means an exhaustive list, but it shows how many scenarios that the user has no control over which can cause them serious harm.

Can You Sue for a Wheelchair Injury in San Antonio?

If your wheelchair injury was caused by a defective chair or negligence, you may have grounds to sue for damages.

Wheelchair transportation companies, wheelchair manufacturers, and hospital/nursing home staff all have a responsibility to keep you from suffering harm while in their care. When they breach that duty and you are hurt as a result, they can be held legally accountable.

These cases often involve complicated areas of personal injury and product liability law. Because of this, it is recommended that you seek counsel from an attorney if you want to pursue an injury claim.

Were You Injured in a Wheelchair Accident? Call Carabin Shaw.

If you were injured in a wheelchair accident in San Antonio, you may be entitled to compensation for things like:

• ER Treatment,
• Ambulance Costs,
• Pain and Suffering,
• Rehabilitation Costs,
• Hospital Bills,
• Loss of Earning Capacity,
• and More.

We can help you find out for free.

Carabin Shaw has represented those injured in wheelchair accidents for over 30 years, and we put our clients first. If you were hurt, call the team that cares to set up your free initial consultation at 800-862-1260 today. We look forward to serving you.

Contacting a Carabin Shaw attorney is free and does not obligate you to work with the firm.

¹KSAT Report