John Deere denies tractor has design flaw in S.D. product liability suit
Farm couple alleges that tractor has dangerous design flaw leading to fall
A Lincoln County farm woman who fell from her John Deere Quad Tractor is accusing the company of faulty design that led to her injuries.
But in court papers filed this week, Deere & Co. denies that there is anything wrong with its product and accuses the plaintiffs of contributing to the negligence that led to the accident.
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The lawsuit filed by Teresa and Brad Smidt says the experienced farming couple had been loyal John Deere customers – Brad was a third-generation John Deere customer.
In 2020, they replaced a 2011 John Deere 9330 articulated four-wheel drive with the Quad Tractor.
On April 26, 2021, Teresa had been using the tractor on their farm for several hours when she stopped to refuel. But to access the fuel tank, an operator must use a “narrow platform” to stand on.
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