Collier County attorney files lawsuit against crossbow company

NORTH NAPLES, Fla. – A Collier County lawyer has filed a federal lawsuit on behalf of a client who lost a thumb using a crossbow manufactured by Barnett Crossbows.

The lawsuit claims the crossbows are poorly designed, rendering them dangerous.

“I really get a shiver down my spine just thinking that it’s out there and that people are using it,” said Bob Cornuke.

In 2014, Cornuke bought a Ghost 400. While trying out the high-powered weapon, Cornuke says the crossbow ripped off his thumb.

“This thing happens so fast and such a poor design of the product that I realize now there are probably kids out there, gonna be out there with dad hunting or target practice or something, and God forbid they’re gonna lose a thumb or even worse,” Cornuke said.

Lawyer Harris Katz, with Goede, Adamczyk, DeBoest & Cross, PLLC, filed a federal lawsuit against Barnett Crossbows saying they way the product is designed makes it extremely dangerous.

“As a user is holding the crossbow and puts their finger and thumb directly in front of the bow string which moves with incredible force, it’s something that can be made far, far safer by a very simple and inexpensive fix,” Katz said.

Katz says a fix could be as easy as adding guards or grips to the bow. Nationwide, Katz says dozens of other people suffered the same thumb injury from Barnett Crossbows.

“I don’t believe they provide adequate warnings, adequate instructions and hoping this case will cast, shed a light on the issue with the product and make them aware when they go to use a product such as this,” Katz said.