December 17, 2004
KLAMATH FALLS, Ore. - A paraplegic man is suing Daimler Chrysler Corporation after he was burned when the heated seat of his SUV malfunctioned. Matt Beller, of Klamath Falls, filed the suit this week in U.S. District Court in Eugene. He is seeking over $14 million.

Beller was in his 2004 Jeep Grand Cherokee when the temperature of the driver's seat climbed to more than 150 degrees one day last February.

The ex-Marine says he has no feeling below his chest because of military injuries. He says he didn't know he had been burned until the next day.

He underwent skin graft surgery and had to lie on his stomach for three months.

Chrysler spokeswoman Mary Gauthier in Detroit said today that the company could not comment on the lawsuit without seeing it.