If you or a loved one experienced serious injuries from a John Deere lawn tractor accident, you may be entitled to pursue compensation.
At Schmidt & Clark, we are dedicated to helping individuals who have suffered due to dangerous equipment defects. Our experienced legal team is here to guide you through the process and fight for the compensation you deserve.
Contact Schmidt & Clark today for a free, no-obligation consultation.
Call us toll-free 24 hrs/day by dialing (866) 588-0600.
Table Of Contents
- John Deere Lawn Tractor Lawsuit Overview
- Latest John Deere Lawn Tractor Lawsuit Updates
- FDA Reports and Statistics
- John Deere Lawn Tractor Injuries & Side Effects
- Do You Qualify for a John Deere Lawn Tractor Lawsuit?
- John Deere Recall Information
- Statute of Limitations for John Deere Lawn Tractor Lawsuits
- FAQs
- 1. How do I know if my John Deere lawn tractor is part of a recall?
- 2. What is the average settlement amount for a John Deere lawn tractor lawsuit?
- 3. How long does a John Deere lawn tractor lawsuit take to resolve?
- 4. Can I still file a lawsuit if my tractor was not part of a recall?
- 5. Will I have to go to court for my John Deere lawn tractor lawsuit?
- 6. How much does it cost to hire a lawyer for a John Deere lawn tractor lawsuit?
- 7. What if I was partially at fault for my lawn tractor accident?
- 8. Can I join the John Deere class action lawsuit instead of filing individually?
- Take Action Now: Time-Sensitive Legal Claims
John Deere Lawn Tractor Lawsuit Overview
John Deere lawn tractors have been subject to multiple safety recalls and lawsuits due to serious design flaws that can cause accidents and injuries.
The primary allegations against Deere & Company include defective design, inadequate safety features, and failure to warn consumers about known hazards.
Over 485,000 units have been recalled since 2018, with the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) citing fire hazards, brake failures, and steering malfunctions as primary concerns.
Latest John Deere Lawn Tractor Lawsuit Updates
- February 8, 2025 – A federal judge in Illinois approved a $28.5 million settlement in the John Deere lawn tractor class action lawsuit. The settlement covers owners of specific recalled models manufactured between 2018 and 2023. Claimants may receive up to $4,500 for documented injuries or $1,200 for replacement costs.
- November 12, 2024 – John Deere announced an additional recall of 62,300 lawn tractors due to potential fire hazards from faulty fuel line connections. This follows three reported incidents of fires resulting in property damage exceeding $180,000.
- September 3, 2024 – The CPSC issued an official warning about John Deere riding lawn tractors model series 100, citing 38 reported incidents of brake failures leading to 15 injuries, including 3 requiring hospitalization.
- July 15, 2024 – A multi-district litigation (MDL) was established in the Northern District of Illinois, consolidating 78 individual lawsuits against John Deere for lawn tractor safety issues.
- March 22, 2024 – John Deere recalled 28,500 lawn tractors from the D100 series due to steering mechanism failures that could cause loss of control. This recall followed 17 reported accidents, including 9 with injuries.
FDA Reports and Statistics
While lawn tractors are not regulated by the FDA, the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) has documented:
- 485,000+ John Deere lawn tractors recalled since 2018
- 152 reported incidents of equipment malfunction
- 67 injuries directly attributed to defective John Deere lawn tractors
- 3 fatalities linked to brake failure and rollover accidents
John Deere Lawn Tractor Injuries & Side Effects
Users of defective John Deere lawn tractors have reported numerous serious injuries resulting from equipment malfunctions:
- Crush Injuries: Limbs caught in moving parts due to safety switch failures
- Burn Injuries: Second and third-degree burns from fuel line fires and overheating engines
- Traumatic Brain Injuries: Head trauma from rollover accidents and collisions
- Fractures and Lacerations: Broken bones and deep cuts from ejection and collision incidents
- Amputations: Loss of fingers, toes, or limbs from blade contact or mechanical failures
Do You Qualify for a John Deere Lawn Tractor Lawsuit?
You may qualify for a John Deere lawn tractor lawsuit if:
- You purchased or used a John Deere lawn tractor manufactured between 2018-2023
- Your tractor was one of the recalled models (D100, E100, S100, X300, or Z300 series)
- You experienced equipment malfunction leading to an accident
- You suffered injuries requiring medical treatment
- The incident occurred within the last five years (varies by state)
Evidence Required for a John Deere Lawn Tractor Lawsuit
To strengthen your case, you should gather:
- Proof of purchase (receipt, warranty registration)
- Model and serial number documentation
- Medical records detailing injuries and treatments
- Photographs of the equipment and accident scene
- Repair or maintenance records
- Documentation of any prior issues with the equipment
- Witness statements if available
Damages You Can Recover
Victims of John Deere lawn tractor accidents may be eligible to recover:
- Past and future medical expenses
- Lost wages and diminished earning capacity
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Property damage
- Punitive damages in cases of gross negligence
John Deere Recall Information
John Deere has issued multiple recalls for lawn tractors in recent years:
- February 2025: 62,300 units of Z300 series due to fuel line fire hazards
- March 2024: 28,500 units of D100 series due to steering mechanism failures
- October 2023: 95,000 units of E100 and S100 series due to brake failure issues
- July 2022: 90,000 units of X300 series due to overheating engines and fire risks
- May 2021: 120,000 units of D100 and E100 series due to operator presence control system failures
Affected models include specific units within the D100, E100, S100, X300, and Z300 series manufactured between 2018 and 2023.
Statute of Limitations for John Deere Lawn Tractor Lawsuits
The time limit to file a John Deere lawn tractor lawsuit varies by state:
- 1-2 years: Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky
- 3 years: Arkansas, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Montana, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin
- 4-6 years: Florida, Louisiana, Maine, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Utah, Wyoming
The clock typically starts on the date of injury or the date you discovered the connection between your injury and the defective equipment.
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FAQs
1. How do I know if my John Deere lawn tractor is part of a recall?
You can check your tractor’s model and serial number against the CPSC recall database or John Deere’s safety recall website. Alternatively, contact John Deere customer service at 1-800-537-8233 with your model and serial number information.
2. What is the average settlement amount for a John Deere lawn tractor lawsuit?
Settlement amounts vary widely based on injury severity, medical expenses, and lost wages. Minor injury cases typically settle for $10,000-$50,000, while severe injury cases involving hospitalization or permanent disability have settled for $100,000-$500,000. Fatal accident cases have resulted in settlements exceeding $1 million.
3. How long does a John Deere lawn tractor lawsuit take to resolve?
Most cases reach settlement within 12-18 months, though complex cases involving severe injuries may take 2-3 years to resolve. Cases that go to trial typically take longer, sometimes 3-5 years from filing to verdict.
4. Can I still file a lawsuit if my tractor was not part of a recall?
Yes, you can still pursue legal action if you can demonstrate that the equipment was defective and caused your injuries, even if it wasn’t part of an official recall. Your attorney will need to establish that the manufacturer was negligent in design, manufacturing, or warning.
5. Will I have to go to court for my John Deere lawn tractor lawsuit?
Most lawn tractor lawsuits settle before trial, but you should be prepared for the possibility of court appearances. Your attorney will handle most legal proceedings, but you may need to provide depositions or testimony in some cases.
6. How much does it cost to hire a lawyer for a John Deere lawn tractor lawsuit?
Schmidt & Clark handles these cases on a contingency fee basis, meaning you pay nothing upfront. Attorney fees are typically 33-40% of your settlement and are only paid if you win your case or receive a settlement.
7. What if I was partially at fault for my lawn tractor accident?
You may still be eligible for compensation even if you were partially at fault. Many states follow comparative negligence laws, which reduce your compensation by your percentage of fault but still allow recovery as long as you were not primarily responsible.
8. Can I join the John Deere class action lawsuit instead of filing individually?
If you suffered significant injuries, an individual lawsuit may provide better compensation than joining a class action. Class actions typically benefit those with minor injuries or economic losses. Your attorney can advise which approach is best for your specific situation.
See all related product liability litigations our lawyers have covered.
Take Action Now: Time-Sensitive Legal Claims
Time is limited to pursue legal action against John Deere for lawn tractor injuries. Depending on your state, you may have as little as one year from the date of your injury to file a claim. Don’t risk losing your right to compensation by waiting too long.
Schmidt & Clark offers:
- Free, confidential consultations
- No upfront costs or fees
- Payment only if we win your case
- Decades of experience in product liability cases
Our team of experienced attorneys has successfully recovered millions for victims of defective equipment and is ready to fight for the compensation you deserve.