REI appeals Monika's case

I just learned that REI is appealing the most recent ruling in Monika's case. 

For those who don't know, Monika was riding downtown in 2007 when the carbon fiber fork on her bike sheared off from the frame and caused her to face plant onto the pavement. Broken jaw, broken teeth, trauma to the brain. She was going about 5 mph on the sidewalk when it happened.  Forensic testing showed that the failure was due to a manufacturing defect. Monika had to pay for the test herself, but was never reimbursed by REI. (REI issued a recall based upon the test results.)
 
REI has denied responsibility, maintaining that the company who manufactured the fork is responsible, not REI, even though REI sub contracted that company and sold Monika the bike under REI's brand name, Navaro. REI even went so far as to suggest that Monika was to blame for the fork's failure because the bike wasn't clean. As though it was Monika's responsibility to notice a manufacturing defect. The superior court sided with Monika,  ruling that REI is responsible to Monika and that REI could pursue legal action against the manufacturing company if it wished. REI appealed, and the appellate court ruled in Monika's favor the day she died. And now REI is appealing again. Wasting the time and energy of Monika's lawyer (and friend) and family.

The whole thing makes me sick. REI never reimbursed Monika for any of her medical or dental expenses, nor for her lost wages. Monika never wanted to crucify REI. She just wanted compensation for her expenses and for not being able to work full time on account of her brain injury. (She managed to sleep only about 3 hours a night)

And yet Monika still managed to get by, despite all those expenses and side effects. She did better than get by. She managed to be happy.

REI boasts about being a co op. Pretty swell treatment of one its nicer members.

fuck REI.

Thanks for the update Ryan.  That is a kick in the guts to those of us that supported Monica through all this.  I  will no longer be shopping at REI until this case is completed.  Very disappionting to hear that they are appealling the case. 

Who are the people making these decisions, and how can they live with themselves?

ditto what Gregg said....thanks for the update Ryan.   thats shameful REI is appealing again.   I won't be shopping there anymore.    

Who are the people making these decisions, and how can they live with themselves?

www.rei.com/aboutrei/directors.html
maybe worth sending some mail to REI's board asking them that very question?

Sucks. Perhaps there is a glimmer of hope that locally operated business will respond in a good way to customer comments.

REI
1-800-426-4840
www.rei.com/help/feedback/servicefb.html

They promise a reply by next business day.  I sent them a comment, will see if they reply.

E-mail sent. 
Let's flood REI with a bounty of boycotting backcountry users.  Screw'em.