Tire Failure Leads to $15 Million Verdict
November 12, 2001
Ford Motor Company will pay over $15 million to a Miami girl and her parents after a jury decided that the billion dollar automobile company was responsible for installing a faulty tire air valve that led to a tragic accident in 1999. Mary "Phoebe" Jimenez, 12, was left in a vegetative state and her aunt was killed when their rented van, an E-350 Econoline, rolled over after a tire exploded due to a torn tire air valve.
Attorneys for the child's family argued that Ford was liable because the company never checked the tire valve for tears after it was installed. Attorneys said tire valves are not checked after installation even though they are rubber and highly susceptible to tearing. An accident reconstructionist confirmed that the tire valve failed because of the way it was positioned in the tire.
Jurors found in favor of the 12-year-old and her family, awarding them one of the largest personal injury wrongful death suit payouts in Florida history.
-- Article Courtesy of InjuryBoard.com
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