Migliaccio & Rathod LLP is investigating whether Sunrise Medical improperly restricts wheelchair users and independent repair professionals from accessing the parts, software, documentation, firmware, and electronic tools needed to diagnose and repair powered mobility equipment.
What Consumers Report
Consumers and repair providers report:
- Being unable to obtain complete service manuals or diagnostic information.
- Waiting extended periods for authorized repairs.
- Having replacement controllers or electronic parts that require proprietary configuration.
- Being unable to use local independent repair shops.
- Paying substantial charges for dealer-only service.
- Experiencing repeated delays obtaining replacement parts.
- Losing use of wheelchairs needed for basic mobility and daily living.
- Receiving limited disclosure before purchase about authorized-service requirements.
Why Consumers Should Be Concerned
A wheelchair user may have no practical substitute when a powered chair stops working. Repair delays can leave users unable to leave home, use accessible transportation, work, attend school, or safely reposition themselves.
If Sunrise Medical limits access to repair tools or makes replacement components dependent on authorized programming, wheelchair users may face a captive repair system with little control over cost or timing.
Potential Claims May Include
- Unfair and deceptive trade practices
- Consumer protection violations
- Right-to-repair statutory claims
- Failure to disclose repair restrictions
- Breach of express warranty
- Breach of implied warranty
- Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act violations
- Unlawful repair-service tying
- Unjust enrichment
- Disability-rights claims where applicable
Signs You May Be Affected
You may be affected if:
- You use a Sunrise Medical powered wheelchair.
- You could not obtain a timely repair from an authorized provider.
- An independent technician lacked access to required software or documentation.
- A replacement electronic component required authorized programming.
- You paid out-of-pocket repair or transportation expenses.
- Your mobility was substantially limited while waiting for service.
- You were told that only an authorized dealer could repair the chair.
If you have encountered these issues, we would like to hear from you. Please complete the contact form on this page, send us an email at [email protected], or give us a call at (202) 470-3520.