Suit: Model Thrown From Segway During Catalogue Photo Shoot

A River North man filed a lawsuit Monday against Segway and Brookstone Inc. because the “Human Transporter” he was riding allegedly threw him to the ground during a 2003 catalogue photo shoot.

Model Dana K. Sweeney claims he was thrown from a Segway “Human Transporter” outside McCormick Place about 4:15 p.m. Sept. 19, 2003, according to a suit filed in Cook County Circuit Court.

The suit claims Sweeny was riding the Swegway as a model for a photo shoot for the Brookstone catalogue on a pathway near a fountain in front of McCormick Place at 2301 S. Lake Shore Drive.

The Segway “began to wobble back and forth, then fell forward, throwing Sweeney over the handle bars head first onto the paved path,” according to the suit. The Segway then “ran up and over his right leg while continuing to push him forward,” the suit said.

The suit claims Segway was negligent because it failed to test the Human Transporter and failed to design, manufacture and distribute a safe product. It also claims Segway failed to warn users of the products flaws and failed to provide detailed instructions, according to the suit.

The suit also claims Brookstone was negligent because it failed to provide Sweeney with a Human Transporter that was not defective and failed to test the device, train Sweeney and warn him of its dangers.

The four-count suit is seeking more than $150,000 from Segway and more than $50,000 from Brookstone plus the cost of the suit.