A New York woman has filed a lawsuit against Amazon and multiple manufacturers, alleging that a massage chair sold through the company malfunctioned, pulling in her hair and causing permanent injuries.
According to Daily Voice, Damaris Torres said the incident occurred in September 2023 while she was using the massage chair in her home. The lawsuit claims the chair’s internal mechanism suddenly pulled in and trapped her hair, leaving her unable to free herself, resulting in what she described as “severe and catastrophic” injuries. Torres alleges the chair was dangerously defective, citing the lack of proper safety guards, warning labels, and an emergency shut-off feature that could have prevented the incident.
The lawsuit further claims that the chair’s manufacturers failed to properly design, test, inspect, and warn consumers about the potential dangers associated with the product. Torres argues that these failures directly contributed to her injuries and the lasting impact on her quality of life.
In addition to Amazon, the lawsuit names Amazon Logistics, Ugears USA Corp., and several manufacturers and distributors based in China as defendants. Torres is seeking compensation for pain and suffering, medical expenses, loss of enjoyment of life, and other damages related to the incident.
Amazon Denies Responsibility
In response to the lawsuit, Amazon has denied liability, maintaining that it is not responsible for the alleged malfunction or resulting injuries. The company has not publicly commented beyond its legal response.
Due to the amount of damages being sought, the case was moved from Suffolk County Court to Central Islip Federal Court, after exceeding the federal jurisdictional threshold. Torres is seeking $4.5 million in damages.
Product Safety Concerns Under Scrutiny
The lawsuit adds to ongoing concerns about consumer product safety, particularly for large home devices that involve moving mechanical parts. Legal experts say cases like this often focus on whether manufacturers provided adequate warnings and safeguards to protect users from foreseeable risks.
As the case moves forward in federal court, it could potentially raise questions about online marketplaces’ responsibilities when selling third-party products to consumers.