Boston family sues wheelchair company over death of quadriplegic son during routine repairs

Family of paralyzed man sues over wheelchair death

BOSTON — A Boston family says their quadriplegic son died after his wheelchair malfunctioned during routine maintenance, pinning his legs under a table and causing him to suffer seizures.

Jeffrey Thompson’s parents have filed a lawsuit seeking $10 million in damages against National Seating & Mobility. The suit alleges that the company’s repairmen were improperly trained and should have removed Thompson from the wheelchair before beginning repairs.

The Tennessee-based company said it won’t comment on pending litigation.

Thompson was 29 when he died in 2007, 12 years after being paralyzed in a car crash in which he was a passenger.

His father, Charles, says Thompson went to college after the injury and became an advocate for the disabled.