According to THE SUN of May 9th 2008 page 23, a verdict of accidental death was passed on George Harris, a 77 year old stroke victim. He often fiddled with the remote control for the recliner chair he was used while watching TV. His widow Enid told an inquest that she had heard him shout and when she came down stairs found him face down on the floor. She and their sons put him to bed but the next day took him to hospital where he was diagnosed with a fractured skull. He died 5 days later. She told the inquest which was held in Truro, Cornwall that he had virtually no mobility following two strokes.

The chair was in the upright position, so the assumption was made that the remote button had jammed and tipped George to the floor. His condition meant that he would have had no ability to break his fall.

This incident shows the need for us all to ensure that remote controls for these chairs are kept in good working order and that any concerns are dealt with immediately. Furthermore, can you think of anyone who fiddles with the remote on their chair? If so, you may want to consider how you can tackle this issue.