Australian Sues Bike Maker Over Brain Injury

Sydney, AustraliaAn Australian teenager who suffered a brain injury in a bike crash recently filed a lawsuit against the bicycle's retailer, manufacturer and importer.

Ben Barber was 15 years old in 2005 and was riding his bike downhill when part of it allegedly collapsed, according to the Australian Associated Press.

On Wednesday, Justice Clifton Hoeben of the NSW Supreme Court ordered the bicycle's importer to pay $230,677 for the now 20-year-old Barber's care for the next 26 weeks.

"He was cycling with friends when the fork of his bike collapsed, which led to him suffering serious head injuries and brain damage," Hoeben said. "He is now aged 20 and continues to suffer from profound intellectual disabilities and is subject to aberrant behavior."

Barber is reportedly suing the bike's retailer Kylow Pty Ltd trading as Rod Martin Cycles, the bike's importer Southcott Pty Ltd, the bike's German manufacturer Felt Gesellschaft Mit Beschrankter Haftung and SR Suntour Inc, the manufacturer that allegedly made the bicycle fork.

The trial date was set for February 28th of next year.