I purchased a T-34 Electric trolling motor 13 months ago from Wal-Mart in Northboro Mass for small boat fishing purposes. Wal-Mart has of course been courteous about this incident, however the manufacturer has not.
I have been fishing in small boats for many years with electric motors and are experienced with their operation. Upon deployment one day and attempted to lower the motor from it's locked up position down into the water to begin boating.
The small red unlock button is difficult to push and release with an index finger, so I used my left thumb. Nothing out of the ordinary was done on this action. The motor then lowered into the water, I was then immense pain from my left index finger being crushed in the hinge (scissor area) of the hinge.
I was in momentary shock. It was crushed so badly I could not get the motor to release from this position. If the boat sank, I was going with it. I then (while screaming in agony) had to break the motor lock to get my crushed finger out. I lost the nail and the recovery time was about 4 months. I have contacted the manufacturer (Mercury) to see what their response would be about replacing the broken motor. After many ignored attempts a lawyer called me back.
Mr. Todd Lemke advised me he would look into the situation and call me back. Ya right. After many attempts to contact him (calls and even a 93A letter Fed Ex to him) I was only again ignored. I can absolutely prove this motor is a poorly designed product that can be very dangerous to its operators. I still have the motor and the photo of my finger throughout it's healing.
What I want to know is HOW a company can so easily turn their head at something like this? I have consulted attorneys and they do feel Mercury Marine has been negligent in this case. Has anyone else out there had an incident with this company or an injury from its equipment? ANY input or advice would be appreciated.
Jeff
Worcester, Massachusetts
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