Gatekeeper Systems, Inc. grocery or shopping carts, unpowered

The reports, as CPSC published them

1. Seen by a doctor or nurse

   Made Aug 29, 2024 · , sent to the company Dec 3, 2024 · , published by CPSC Sep 18, 2024

   The product, in the report: The product in question is the GateKeeper Systems PurChek. It was deployed on a standard shopping cart.

   On 6/29/2024 at approximately 6:50pm EST (later confirmed by video to be at [REDACTED] as per surveillance video), I was putting away an empty shopping cart at the Harris Teeter store located at [REDACTED] when the wheels locked up and an alarm went off. This abrupt locking of the wheels caused a jarring stop (as clearly shown in the video) which injured me. The device involved in the locking of the cart wheel is the PurChek System.

   Initially, I dismissed the incident as a mere part of modern life but as the evening went on I began to experience back pain, shooting sensations, pins and needles and numbness in my legs, prompting a visit to urgent care the next day (6/30/2024). Further issues with numbness and pain prompted me to go to a second urgent care visit on 7/5/2024. I recently visited a spine specialist (8/19/2024) who confirmed that my continuing symptoms are tied to the incident and prescribed physical therapy. While I am for the most part recovered, I still have unresolved back pain which I hope the physical therapy will address.

   Out of a concern for public safety, I reached out to Harris Teeter, who refused to engage with my concerns except to state the device was operating as intended when it injured me. In the process of dialogue with their Third Party Claims Adjuster (TPA), [REDACTED], I was informed that injuries of my nature were not uncommon from the intake person I talked to.

   Seeing as Harris Teeter and its representative were not responsive to my concerns and they involved a risk to the public, I reached out to the North Carolina Attorney Generals Office (AG). While Harris Teeter was initially non-responsive to the AG, they finally responded after the AG reached out a second time but merely provided statements that the device carries no risk while stating they can acquire safety information to support such a claim if necessary while simultaneously attacking and ignoring my concerns.

   I held off on reporting this incident to the CPSC until such time as I had confirmation of the product involved in my injury (which was included in the Harris Teeter response to the AG). I have confirmed that the device in question has been reported previously and the report number is [REDACTED]..

   I’m attaching the following: 1. The response of Harris Teeter to the AG, 2. The notes on my calculations of the forces involved, 3. Relevant medical records illustrating the extent of my injuries, 4. Video of the incident, 5. Photos of the shopping cart notices, 6. The brochure associated with the device which injured me 7. News reports indicating a broader pattern of injury 8. A copy of my complaint to the AG

   Overall, My concerns, as relevant to the CPSC, boil down the following: 1.This device has a strong risk of injury, in particular injury for certain vulnerable populations (i.e. the elderly, the young, those who are pregnant, and those with pre-existing health issues or disabilities). 2. This device does not seem to carry any safety information associated with it (certainly, none was shared with those who purchased the device since they would to will consider obtaining that information if requested) 3. The extent of risk mitigations is that the carts contain a sign saying Shopping Carts may stop unexpectedly at exit doors. In the absence of a statement indicating that in doing so it may injure, that is not a sufficient safety warning.

   My request is that the CPSC conducts a full investigation into the safety of the PurChek System to assess the risks to the consumers. A good starting point for that might be the following: 1. Reaching out to Harris Teeter and their representative to confirm the incident I experienced (the Store Manager is one [REDACTED], the attorney who responded to the AG in this matter is one [REDACTED], and one [REDACTED] with their Third Party Claims Adjuster (TPA), [REDACTED]). By doing so, CPSC can more clearly document the incident and acquire additional information 2. Requesting records associated with this and other incidents from Harris Teeter and their TPA, [REDACTED]. By doing so, CPSC can begin to establish a pattern of injury and risk associated with this product. 3. Requesting safety information from the manufacturer on the PurChek System (if such safety information exists) to determine the degree of risk to consumers.

   Please know, I am fully at the disposal of your office should it prove necessary. The oft-stated idea that safety regulations are written in blood is one I would like us to avoid this time. Don’t hesitate if there is any additional information I could provide.

   Model

   PurChek

   Where

   Durham, North Carolina: Other

   Who was involved

   Age 28, Male

   The reporter’s relation to them

   Self

   As this report names them

   made or sold by Gatekeeper Systems, Inc.

   How badly, in CPSC’s words

   Injury, Seen by Medical Professional

CPSC’s disclaimer

Sources