MEALEY’S™
Executive Summary
January 2006
Personal Injury And Liability
In The Auto Industry
Mealey’s Executive Summary
Personal Injury And Liability
In The Auto Industry
Published January 2006
Gerald Matics
editor
W. Thomas Hagy
vice president & general manager
Scott M. Jacobs
legal news market planning director
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editorial director
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conference director
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marketing manager
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Personal Injury And Liability In The Auto Industry
Mealey’s Executive Summary January 2006
In this Report
U.S. Supreme Court
page
U.S. Supreme Court denies certiorari; $3 million punitive damage award stands ----------------------------------------------- 20
High court denies petition asking court to allow case to remain in states -------------------------------------------------------- 21
Supreme Court declines case; Ford / Firestone class certification reversal stands ------------------------------------------------ 22
Federal Circuit Courts
1st Circuit
‘Inconsistent’ verdicts reasonably reached, 1st Circuit panel says ------------------------------------------------------------------ 24
2nd Circuit
Trans Am design options fail under Daubert, 2nd Circuit panel concludes ----------------------------------------------------- 25
3rd Circuit
Lack of expert testimony on operator restraints doomed plaintiff’s case ---------------------------------------------------------- 26
5th Circuit
Changes made in defective tire case ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 27
6th Circuit
State agency third-party defendant doesn’t destroy diversity, panel says ---------------------------------------------------------- 28
Lack of causal connection with injuries deflates air bag case on appeal ----------------------------------------------------------- 29
7th Circuit
Nearly a year later, panel explains denial of mandamus writ ----------------------------------------------------------------------- 30
7th Circuit finds evidence properly denied, admitted, affirms verdict for Chrysler --------------------------------------------- 32
7th Circuit directs judge to enjoin nationwide Firestone class attempts ---------------------------------------------------------- 33
Summary judgment OK’d despite tire plaintiffs’ biased judge allegations ------------------------------------------------------ 34
8th Circuit
Quadriplegic woman can’t show precrash drinking evidence prejudice ----------------------------------------------------------- 35
9th Circuit
No tribal court jurisdiction in reservation dump truck rollover case -------------------------------------------------------------- 36
Ford tells appellate court its conduct doesn’t deserves high punitives ------------------------------------------------------------- 37
10th Circuit
Lack of on-point evidence supports summary judgment --------------------------------------------------------------------------- 39
Verdict for auto maker stands in seat belt defect case -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 40
Fraud claims barred by settlement release, appellate panel holds ------------------------------------------------------------------ 41
Attorney who cried fraud not sanctioned by judge’s letter to bar, panel says ----------------------------------------------------- 42
11th Circuit
Plaintiffs to 11th Circuit: Overturn injunction against refiling in another state ------------------------------------------------ 43
Sanctions inappropriate over ‘Nazi’ motion, 11th Circuit rules ------------------------------------------------------------------- 44
3
Mealey’s Executive Summary January 2006
Personal Injury And Liability In The Auto Industry
State And Federal Courts By State
Alabama
Panel orders judge to vacate discovery order, but case settles ----------------------------------------------------------------------- 46
Alabama high court grants mandamus, finds no personal jurisdiction ------------------------------------------------------------ 47
GM granted new trial over $80M verdict, but case settles -------------------------------------------------------------------------- 48
Arizona
Tire maker on hook for part of $9.5 million jury award, panel says -------------------------------------------------------------- 49
Satisfaction of judgment, collateral estoppel preclude suit, Arizona panel holds ------------------------------------------------ 50
Settlement voids new trial order in defective transmission case -------------------------------------------------------------------- 51
California
California federal judge approves tire separation settlement of $250,000 -------------------------------------------------------- 52
California fuel gauges defect case settles confidentially ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 53
California high court won’t hear quadriplegic woman’s appeal --------------------------------------------------------------------- 54
California high court won’t disturb $27.5M verdict against GM ------------------------------------------------------------------ 54
Parties to epic Explorer rollover verdict brief appellate court ----------------------------------------------------------------------- 55
Plaintiffs appeal certification denial in touchy tire class action --------------------------------------------------------------------- 57
California appellate panel slashes Romo $290M punitive award ------------------------------------------------------------------ 58
GM agrees to settlement, stops appeal of billion-dollar judgment ---------------------------------------------------------------- 60
California jury awards $3.3M in after-market manufacturer suit ------------------------------------------------------------------ 60
Summary judgment motion briefed in California seat belt release case ----------------------------------------------------------- 61
Colorado
Colorado federal judge axes tire testimony, grants judgment ----------------------------------------------------------------------- 62
Connecticut
Connecticut court finds action against rental car company barred ---------------------------------------------------------------- 63
District Of Columbia
NHTSA’s regional recall policy OK, federal judge holds---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 64
Florida
Florida high court passes on tire rupture suit review -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 65
Florida high court won’t stop crash victim from seeking punitives ---------------------------------------------------------------- 66
Florida appeals court affirms $60M damages award, no punitives ---------------------------------------------------------------- 67
Florida appeals court orders reinstatement of $6.5 million award ---------------------------------------------------------------- 68
Couple settles suit with minivan maker over seat back collapse -------------------------------------------------------------------- 69
Georgia
Georgia ATV rollover case settles for undisclosed amount-------------------------------------------------------------------------- 70
Georgia court: Directed verdict proper where no evidence of defect ------------------------------------------------------------- 71
Illinois
Missouri accident suit lands in that state’s federal court after stay vacated ------------------------------------------------------- 72
Settlement approved for van accident -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 73
GM paint peeling case continues to await class approval decision ----------------------------------------------------------------- 74
Rollover case settles after federal judge denies motion to transfer venue --------------------------------------------------------- 76
On balance, factors favor Ford keeping case in federal court ----------------------------------------------------------------------- 77
Illinois high court declines to hear defective seat case; $14M verdict stands ----------------------------------------------------- 78
Illinois trial court properly denied JNOV, other motions -------------------------------------------------------------------------- 79
Destruction of Escort leads to summary judgment for Ford ----------------------------------------------------------------------- 79
Illinois appeals court affirms claim is preempted by Safety Act -------------------------------------------------------------------- 81
4
Personal Injury And Liability In The Auto Industry
Mealey’s Executive Summary January 2006
Indiana
No tires, other evidence warrants Ford summary judgment ------------------------------------------------------------------------ 82
Bridgestone / Firestone MDL judge denies motion to enjoin class proceedings ------------------------------------------------- 83
Experts’ deposition testimony flunks Daubert exam--------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 84
Federal judge rules he has jurisdiction over Bridgestone ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 85
Indiana federal court grants sanctions, reaffirms trial date -------------------------------------------------------------------------- 86
Bridgestone / Firestone MDL bars testimony, grants tiremaker summary judgment ------------------------------------------- 87
Summary judgment proper in rollover belt release case, Indiana panel affirms -------------------------------------------------- 88
Iowa
GM not liable for seat compression death, Iowa panel affirms --------------------------------------------------------------------- 89
Kentucky
Kentucky Supreme Court orders new trial on punitives in wake of State Farm ------------------------------------------------- 90
Kentucky high court revives automaker’s verdict in air bag case ------------------------------------------------------------------- 91
Louisiana
Expert unqualified to say air bag enhanced injuries, Louisiana federal judge finds --------------------------------------------- 92
Redhibition claims focus of judgment motion in police vehicle suit -------------------------------------------------------------- 93
Explorer in rollover was not defective, jury finds in short order ------------------------------------------------------------------- 95
Magistrate judge recommends dismissal of class against mobile home industry ------------------------------------------------- 95
Louisiana high court denies review in roof crush case ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 97
General Motors class members not allowed to sell rebate coupons ---------------------------------------------------------------- 98
Auto expert’s roof crush theories are unreliable, Louisiana judge concludes ----------------------------------------------------- 98
Maine
Defense wins verdict in Maine bolt failure case -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 99
Jury deadlocks in Maine van crash case; parties settle ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- 100
Maryland
Parties settle Maryland recalled tire rupture suit ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 101
Michigan
Retrial date set in Michigan partial latch case -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 102
Any error in reports’ exclusion harmless, Michigan panel holds ----------------------------------------------------------------- 103
Michigan appeals court affirms verdict for GM in seat belt case ----------------------------------------------------------------- 104
Michigan’s borrowing statute foils Mexican residents’ suit against Ford, vendor ---------------------------------------------- 105
Minnesota
Plaintiff fails to show defect in parking brake caused fire ------------------------------------------------------------------------- 106
Mississippi
Mississippi Supreme Court reallocates damages from defective engine case --------------------------------------------------- 107
Mississippi high court orders retrial in air bag death suit ------------------------------------------------------------------------- 109
Summary judgment proper where defendant had no involvement in tire manufacture -------------------------------------- 110
Exclusion of reports wrong, but not reversal grounds, panel finds -------------------------------------------------------------- 111
Missouri
Appeals court upholds $8.5M award and reverses judge’s new trial ruling ----------------------------------------------------- 112
Nebraska
Ford, Firestone not responsible for woman’s death after tire failure ------------------------------------------------------------- 113
5
Mealey’s Executive Summary January 2006
Personal Injury And Liability In The Auto Industry
New Jersey
New Jersey high court finds no public access to discovery rights ---------------------------------------------------------------- 114
New Jersey appeals court: Product liability claim should not be considered -------------------------------------------------- 116
New Mexico
Ford not liable for alleged Mazda defects, judge says ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 117
New York
New trial will proceed in pro se rollover case, judge declares -------------------------------------------------------------------- 118
Recovery possible under lemon law for already-repaired car --------------------------------------------------------------------- 119
Appeals court affirms dismissal for failure to preserve Volvo --------------------------------------------------------------------- 120
Ohio
Auto racer settles tire blowup claims with manufacturer -------------------------------------------------------------------------- 121
Ohio federal judge remands police car liability actions---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 122
Remand granted, trial set in Ohio metalworking case ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- 123
Ohio woman used up savings statute, can’t refile seat belt case ------------------------------------------------------------------ 124
Class certification in throttle-body action appealed to 6th Circuit -------------------------------------------------------------- 125
Seat belt use question not preserved, Ohio high court says ----------------------------------------------------------------------- 126
Oklahoma
Settlement trust ends seat belt crashworthiness dispute --------------------------------------------------------------------------- 128
Oregon
Appeals court affirms 2-year limit applies to air bag death case ------------------------------------------------------------------ 129
Pennsylvania
Class of Mercedes-Benz owners reaches $32 million settlement ----------------------------------------------------------------- 130
Pennsylvania high court denies rehearing over jury instruction issue ----------------------------------------------------------- 131
Panel upholds $8.2 million verdict in fiery crash case ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- 132
Missing seat not cause for adverse inference ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 133
Jury awards $5.64 million to Pennsylvania Sephia brake wear class ------------------------------------------------------------- 134
Auto liability class denied certification for lack of commonality ----------------------------------------------------------------- 134
Puerto Rico
Lack of experts leads to dismissal of seat belt case ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 135
South Carolina
South Carolina high court affirms ‘fraud upon the court’ finding --------------------------------------------------------------- 136
Tennessee
Tennessee panel reverses forum non conveniens motion denial ------------------------------------------------------------------ 138
Panel upholds automaker’s verdict in toddler choking case ----------------------------------------------------------------------- 139
Judge slashes $98M in punitives as out of step with State Farm ----------------------------------------------------------------- 140
Texas
Coverage dispute over tire separation claims settled for $12.5M ---------------------------------------------------------------- 141
Suit alleging fatal Landcruiser gear slip settles mid-trial--------------------------------------------------------------------------- 141
Settlement of motor home faulty brake class given final approval --------------------------------------------------------------- 142
Settlement reached in Texas crashworthiness case --------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 143
Seat maker need not indemnify garbage truck manufacturer--------------------------------------------------------------------- 144
Texas high court blocks discovery of tire manufacturer’s formula --------------------------------------------------------------- 145
Texas high court briefed in $3.4 million air bag warning dispute --------------------------------------------------------------- 146
6
Personal Injury And Liability In The Auto Industry
Mealey’s Executive Summary January 2006
Texas high court won’t rule on inconsistent seat belt verdict --------------------------------------------------------------------- 147
Failure to rule out other causes dooms claim, Texas high court holds ----------------------------------------------------------- 148
Texas high court lets reversal of $65M verdict stand ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 149
Texas high court weighs national class for alleged seat belt defects -------------------------------------------------------------- 150
Foreign tire company reachable in Texas suit, panel concludes ------------------------------------------------------------------ 152
Texas appellate panel voids paint class ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 153
Insufficient evidence supported tire verdict, Texas panel holds------------------------------------------------------------------- 154
Panel backs cost denial after nonsuit of police interceptor claims --------------------------------------------------------------- 155
Asthma sufferer produces no proof air bag chemicals cause respiratory problems --------------------------------------------- 156
Texas high court to rule on judgment reversal in fuel fire case ------------------------------------------------------------------- 157
Automaker settles Gen3 defective seat belt case ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 158
Bridgestone / Firestone settlement approved over objections --------------------------------------------------------------------- 159
Utah
Volkswagen settles seat heater burn claims in Utah suit --------------------------------------------------------------------------- 159
Washington
Paraplegic man’s case to be retried over stricken car seat proof ------------------------------------------------------------------- 160
Wisconsin
Panel says plaintiffs may reopen case for contract, warranty claims ------------------------------------------------------------- 161
Commentaries
The implications of State Farm for the future of punitive damages ------------------------------------------------------------- 163
A plaintiffs’ perspective on the effect of State Farm on punitive damages in mass torts -------------------------------------- 172
Litigation Trends
Motor vehicle personal injury litigation in federal courts continues decline in 2005, LexisNexis finds -------------------- 179
7
Mealey’s Executive Summary January 2006
Personal Injury And Liability In The Auto Industry
Cases in this Report
Documents
U.S. Sup.
1st Cir.
2nd Cir.
3rd Cir.
5th Cir.
6th Cir.
7th Cir.
8
Page
Cooper Tire & Rubber Co. v. Tuckier
Certiorari denied-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------20
Tuckier’s opposition brief
Mississippi Supreme Court decision
Gonzalez v. Chrysler Corp.
Certiorari denied-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------21
Petition for review
Opposition brief
5th Circuit decision
Gustafson v. Bridgestone/Firestone
Certiorari denied-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------22
7th Circuit decision
Ford’s opening brief
Ford’s reply brief
Plaintiffs’ brief
Bridgestone/Firestone brief
Connelly v. Hyundai Motor Co.
Opinion upholding plaintiff verdict --------------------------------------------------------------------------24
Zaremba v. General Motors Corp.
Opinion affirming summary judgment ----------------------------------------------------------------------25
Jones v. Toyota Motor Sales USA, Inc.
Opinion affirming summary judgment ----------------------------------------------------------------------26
Vasquez v. Bridgestone/Firestone
Changes ordered in tire case ruling ---------------------------------------------------------------------------27
Grimes v. Mazda N.A. Operations
Opinion affirming jury verdict --------------------------------------------------------------------------------28
Stewart v. General Motors Corp.
Opinion affirming summary judgment ----------------------------------------------------------------------29
Ford Motor Co., In re:
Opinion denying mandamus ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------30
Order denying motion to certify issue
Jenkins v. Chrysler
Opinion affirming jury verdict --------------------------------------------------------------------------------32
Liaison Counsel – Class Cases v. Ford Motor Co.
Opinion granting injunction request-------------------------------------------------------------------------33
Appellant brief
Appellee brief
Appellant reply
Order denying injunction
Staten v. Nissan North America, Inc.
Order on appeal -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------34
Appellant’s brief
Order granting summary judgment
Motion for summary judgment
Motion for extension of time
Personal Injury And Liability In The Auto Industry
8th Cir.
9th Cir.
10th Cir.
11th Cir.
N.D. Ala.
Ala. Sup.
Ariz. App.
N.D. Calif.
S.D. Calif.
Mealey’s Executive Summary January 2006
Regions Bank v. BMW N.A., Inc.
Opinion affirming summary judgment ----------------------------------------------------------------------35
Appellant’s brief
Appellees’ brief
Appellant’s reply brief
Smith v. Salish Kootenai College
Opinion reversing jurisdiction rulings -----------------------------------------------------------------------36
White v. Ford Motor Co.
Appellant’s brief -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------37
Punitive damage award reversed
Ahrens v. Ford Motor Co.
Opinion affirming summary judgment ----------------------------------------------------------------------39
Cummings v. General Motors Corp.
Opinion affirming defense verdict ----------------------------------------------------------------------------40
Kennedy v. Ford Motor Co.
Opinion affirming summary judgment ----------------------------------------------------------------------41
Teaford v. Ford Motor Co.
Opinion dismissing attorney’s appeal ------------------------------------------------------------------------42
Foxworth v. Kia Motors Corp.
Petition for rehearing en banc and 11th Circuit per curium opinion ------------------------------------43
Alabama Supreme Court opinion
Motion to reinstate cases
District Court opinion granting motion for summary judgment
District Court opinion granting injunction
Original 11th Circuit appellants’ brief
Original 11th Circuit appellee’s brief
Original 11th Circuit appellants’ reply brief
Kaplan v. DaimlerChrysler, A.G.
Opinion reversing sanctions -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------44
Appellant brief
Appellee brief
Appellant reply
Russell v. Ford Motor Co.
11th Circuit opinion--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------46
Petition for mandamus
Satisfaction of judgment
Alloy Wheels Int’l, Ltd., Ex parte
Opinion granting mandamus ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------47
General Motors Corp. v. Jernigan
Settlement agreement reached ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------48
Opinion granting new trial
Bridgestone/Firestone N.A. Tire v. A.P.S.
Opinion that tire maker must indemnify--------------------------------------------------------------------49
Bridgestone/Firestone N.A. Tire v. Naranjo
Opinion affirming summary judgment ----------------------------------------------------------------------50
Golonka v. General Motors
Settlement agreement reached ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------51
Opinion ordering new trial
Alvarez v. Bridgestone/Firestone
Order approving settlement -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------52
Eagle v. Mercedes-Benz
Order setting settlement disposition conference ------------------------------------------------------------53
Stipulation for dismissal
Class action complaint
Amended complaint
Mercedes’ answer
9
Mealey’s Executive Summary January 2006
Calif. Sup.
Calif. App.
Calif. Super.
D. Colo.
Conn. App.
D. D.C.
Fla. Sup.
10
Personal Injury And Liability In The Auto Industry
Robert Bosch’s answer
Siemens’ answer
Granda v. Ford Motor Co.
Opinion upholding defense verdict --------------------------------------------------------------------------54
Lambert v. General Motors
Opinion affirming $25.7 million verdict -------------------------------------------------------------------54
Buell-Wilson v. Ford Motor Co.
Appellant’s opening brief ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------55
Respondent’s brief
$349 million verdict in rollover case
Littell v. Bridgestone/Firestone N.A. Tire
Notice of appeal -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------57
Original complaint
Motion for class certification
Statements of disqualification
Order denying disqualification
Removal notice
Remand order
Romo v. Ford Motor Co.
Opinion reducing punitive award ----------------------------------------------------------------------------58
Petition for certiorari
Opposition brief
Original 5th District opinion
PLAC amicus brief
AAM amicus brief
Mercedes-Benz amicus brief
Leading nonautomotive companies amicus brief
NAII amicus brief
5th District opinion on remand
Anderson v. General Motors Corp.
Settlement agreement reached ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------60
Hoebeck v. Franks
Order granting partial JNOV ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------60
Quacchia v. DaimlerChrysler Corp.
Motion for summary judgment available --------------------------------------------------------------------61
Brief supporting motion
Opposition to motion
Reply to opposition to motion
Opinion affirming class denial
Hauck v. Michelin North America, Inc.
Opinion granting summary judgment -----------------------------------------------------------------------62
Cogan v. Chase Manhattan Auto Financial Corp.
Opinion affirming summary judgment ----------------------------------------------------------------------63
Center for Auto Safety v. NHTSA
Opinion denying judgment, dismissing ---------------------------------------------------------------------64
Motion for summary judgment
Motion to dismiss
Response to summary judgment motion
Response to motion to dismiss
Complaint over regional recalls
Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co. v. Jones
Order denying review-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------65
Holmes v. Bridgestone/Firestone, Inc.
Order denying review-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------66
Personal Injury And Liability In The Auto Industry
Fla. Cir.
M.D. Ga.
Ga. App.
N.D. Ill.
Mealey’s Executive Summary January 2006
Petitioner’s initial brief on jurisdiction
Respondent’s initial brief on jurisdiction
4th District opinion
General Motors v. McGee
$60 million award affirmed; no punitives -------------------------------------------------------------------67
Opinion ordering interest on verdict
Hyundai v. Ferayorni
Opinion vacating $3 million judgment ----------------------------------------------------------------------68
Opinion reinstating $6.5 million award
Bennett v. DaimlerChrysler Corp.
Settlement agreement reached ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------69
Complaint alleging vehicle ejection
Synovus Trust Co. v. Honda Motor Co.
Order granting motion to approve settlement --------------------------------------------------------------70
Joint motion to dismiss complaint
Order granting motion to dismiss
Order granting jury trial motion
Order suggesting motion
Plaintiff’s memorandum on jury trial
Motion for jury trial
Response to motion for jury trial
Original complaint
Dildine v. Town & Country
Opinion affirming directed verdict ---------------------------------------------------------------------------71
Childress v. Ford Motor Co.
Opinion granting venue change motion ---------------------------------------------------------------------72
Emergency motion to stay transfer
Response to emergency motion
Motion to vacate stay
Order granting motion to vacate stay
Removal notice and complaint
Motion to transfer venue
Response to motion to transfer venue
Johnson v. Ford Motor Co.
Motion for dismissal --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------73
Stipulation to dismiss
Petition for leave to settle cause
Petition to approve settlement
Order to turn over documents
Amended complaint
Plaintiffs’ motion/brief for sanctions
Ford’s response
Plaintiff’s reply brief
Miller v. General Motors
Response to oral motion to deny leave -----------------------------------------------------------------------74
Reply to response to motion
Motion to quash discovery
Motion to certify class continued
Tsaparikos v. Ford
Order dismissing case -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------76
Opinion denying motion to transfer
Zuccaro v. Ford Motor Co.
Opinion denying motion to amend --------------------------------------------------------------------------77
Notice of removal
11
Mealey’s Executive Summary January 2006
Ill. Sup.
Ill. App.
S.D. Ind.
Ind. App.
Iowa App.
Ky. Sup.
E.D. La.
12
Personal Injury And Liability In The Auto Industry
Motion for leave to amend complaint
Motion to reconsider
Response to motion to reconsider
Reply to response
Carrillo v. Ford Motor Co.
Court declines review of verdict-------------------------------------------------------------------------------78
Trial court opinion
Appellate court opinion
Andrade v. General Motors
Opinion affirming motion denial -----------------------------------------------------------------------------79
Kambylis v. Ford Motor
Summary judgment granted -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------79
Mejia v. Volvo
Door latch complaint preempted -----------------------------------------------------------------------------81
Arroyo v. Bridgestone/Firestone, Inc.
Opinion granting Ford motion for judgment --------------------------------------------------------------82
Opinion granting Firestone motion for judgment
Bridgestone/Firestone Inc. Tire Pro. Lia., In re:
Order denying motion on class proceedings ----------------------------------------------------------------83
Owens v. Ford Motor Co.
Opinion granting summary judgment -----------------------------------------------------------------------84
Tungate v. Bridgestone
Motion to dismiss denied --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------85
Wheeler v. Dutchmen Manufacturing, Inc.
Order partially granting motion for sanctions --------------------------------------------------------------86
Motion for sanctions
Order granting motion to compel discovery
Motion to compel discovery
Supplemental motion for sanctions
Complaint
Zachary v. Bridgestone
Summary judgment granted -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------87
Lytle v. Ford Motor Co.
Opinion affirming summary judgment ----------------------------------------------------------------------88
Evans v. General Motors Corp.
Opinion upholding verdict ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------89
Sand Hill Energy v. Smith (Smith v. Ford Motor Co.)
Kentucky Supreme Court orders new trial ------------------------------------------------------------------90
Petition for certiorari
First Kentucky Supreme Court opinion
Leading nonautomotive companies’ amicus brief
PLAC’s amicus brief
AAM’s amicus brief
Toyota Motor Corp. v. Gregory
Opinion restoring defense verdict ----------------------------------------------------------------------------91
Battistella v. DaimlerChrysler Motors Co.
Order granting summary judgment --------------------------------------------------------------------------92
Motion for summary judgment
Response to motion
Reply to response
Lee v. Ford
Motion for judgment on the pleadings ----------------------------------------------------------------------93
Response to motion
Opinion denying motion to reconsider
Personal Injury And Liability In The Auto Industry
W.D. La.
La. Sup.
La. App.
La. Dist.
D. Maine
Maine Super.
D. Md.
E.D. Mich.
Mich. App.
D. Minn.
Miss. Sup.
Mealey’s Executive Summary January 2006
Motion to reconsider
Ford’s response
Stay order
Motion to remand
Response to motion to remand
Order remanding case
Granted motion for partial dismissal
Acree v. Ford Motor Co.
Defense verdict reached ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------95
Rollover complaint
Answer
Matte v. Sunshine Mobile Homes, Inc.
Opinion dismissing putative class ----------------------------------------------------------------------------95
Order dismissing defendants
Order dismissing Oakwood Homes
Garcia v. Brown
State high court denies review ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------97
Opinion reversing directed verdict
White v. General Motors
Opinion on class settlement plan -----------------------------------------------------------------------------98
Garcia v. Ford Motor Co.
Transcript of voir dire and ruling------------------------------------------------------------------------------98
Motion to exclude expert
Thorndike v. DaimlerChrylser
Defense verdict reached ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------99
Opinion allowing expert testimony
Recommended decision
Opinion on Daubert motions
Order affirming recommendations
Order denying bifurcation motion
Allen v. General Motors Corp.
Settlement agreement reached ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 100
Stuart v. Firestone/Bridgestone
Settlement order ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 101
Complaint
Martin’s cross-complaint
Motion to reopen case or compel consummation
Motion to withdraw motion to reopen
Nemir v. Mitsubishi Motors Corp.
Order setting new trial date---------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 102
Opinion reversing summary judgment
Opinion remanding for new trial
Bertuca v. General Motors Corp.
Opinion holds trial court error harmless ------------------------------------------------------------------ 103
Chastain v. Macomb Circuit Court
Opinion affirming jury verdict ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- 104
Landeta/Carrera/Tirado v. Ford Motor Co.
Opinion affirming summary judgment -------------------------------------------------------------------- 105
Great Northern Insurance v. Volvo Trucks N.A.
Opinion on defect, liability ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 106
Mack Trucks v. Tackett
Opinion reallocating damages ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 107
Original state high court opinion
Palmer v. Volkswagen
Opinion remanding for new trial --------------------------------------------------------------------------- 109
Majority opinion and dissent reversing verdict
13
Mealey’s Executive Summary January 2006
Miss. App.
Neb. Sup.
N.J. Sup.
N.J. App.
D. N.M.
S.D. N.Y.
N.Y. Sup. App.
14
Personal Injury And Liability In The Auto Industry
Harrison v. B.F. Goodrich Co.
Opinion affirming summary judgment -------------------------------------------------------------------- 110
Noah v. General Motors Corp.
Opinion affirming defense verdict -------------------------------------------------------------------------- 111
Steele v. Evenflo Co.
Opinion affirming $8.5 million award -------------------------------------------------------------------- 112
Stahlecker v. Ford Motor Co.
Opinion affirming sustained demurrers-------------------------------------------------------------------- 113
Frankl v. Goodyear Tire and Rubber Co.
Opinion finding no public access rights ------------------------------------------------------------------- 114
Letter supporting CARS’s motion to intervene
Intervenor’s brief
Intervenor’s supplemental brief
Intervenor’s reply brief on motion to vacate
Intervenor’s reply brief on motion to intervene
Intervenor’s brief supporting motion to intervene
Trial court opinion
Appeals court decision
Becker v. Tessitore
Vitalone v. Tessitore
Opinion affirming verdict ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 116
Faniola v. Mazda Motor Corp.
Opinion finding no fiduciary duty ------------------------------------------------------------------------- 117
Buckley v. General Motors Corp.
Order denying judgment as a matter of law --------------------------------------------------------------- 118
Opinion affirming right to trial
Summary order
Kucher v. DaimlerChrysler
Opinion finding recovery possible -------------------------------------------------------------------------- 119
Opinion on ‘reasonable’ attempts
Thornhill v. A.B. Volvo
Opinion dismissing for spoliation -------------------------------------------------------------------------- 120
Curtis v. Hoosier Racing Tire Corp.
Opinion denying summary judgment --------------------------------------------------------------------- 121
Motion for summary judgment
Response to motion
Reply to response
Ford Motor Co. Panther Platform/Fuel Tank Design, In Re:
Opinion remanding cases to state court ------------------------------------------------------------------- 122
Motion to transfer
Ford’s supporting brief
Texas complaint
Pennsylvania complaint
New Jersey complaint
Texas response to MDL consolidation
New Jersey response to MDL consolidation
Pennsylvania response to MDL consolidation
JPMDL order creating MDL
Ohio complaint
Order transferring eight cases
Alabama complaint
Morris complaint
Mississippi complaint
Personal Injury And Liability In The Auto Industry
Ohio Comm.
Pls.
S.D. Ohio
Ohio Sup.
W.D. Okla.
Ore. App.
E.D. Pa.
Pa. Sup.
Pa. Cmwlth.
Pa. Super.
Pa. Comm. Pls.
Mealey’s Executive Summary January 2006
Motion for approval of interim organization
Ford’s response
Plaintiffs’ proposed discovery plan
Ford’s response to proposed plan
Order transferring three cases
Conditional transfer order of two cases
Motion to communicate with members
Motion for protective order
Order certifying Illinois state class
NAPO complaint
Bessette v. TRW Inc.
Johnson v. TRW Inc.
Hawkins v. TRW Inc.
Snyder v. TRW Inc.
Opinion granting remand motion -------------------------------------------------------------------------- 123
Order on remand motion
Motion to remand
Opposition to remand
Industrial Fluid answer
TRW answer
Dismissal notice
Taynor v. General Motors
Order granting summary judgment ------------------------------------------------------------------------ 124
Motion for summary judgment
Opposition to summary judgment
Reply to opposition
Daffin v. Ford Motor Co.
Order granting interlocutory appeal------------------------------------------------------------------------ 125
Class certification order
Motion for reconsideration
Response to motion
Reply to response to motion
Order denying reconsideration
Gable v. Village of Gates Mills
Opinion reinstating defense verdict and dissent ---------------------------------------------------------- 126
Trial court opinion
Clark v. Mazda Motor
Opinion approving settlement trust ------------------------------------------------------------------------ 128
Opinion answering certified question
Kambury v. DaimlerChrysler Corp.
Order affirming summary judgment ----------------------------------------------------------------------- 129
O’Keefe v. Mercedes-Benz
Opinion approving $32 million settlement --------------------------------------------------------------- 130
Stecher v. Ford
Opinion denying rehearing application -------------------------------------------------------------------- 131
Original Supreme Court opinion
Harsh v. Petroll
Opinion upholding $8.2 million verdict ------------------------------------------------------------------ 132
Raskin v. Ford Motor Co.
Opinion affirming plaintiff verdict ------------------------------------------------------------------------- 133
Samuel-Bassett v. Kia Motors America
$5.64 million verdict reached ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 134
3rd Circuit opinion remanding case
Appellant’s 3rd Circuit brief
15
Mealey’s Executive Summary January 2006
D. Puerto Rico
S.C. Sup.
Tenn. App.
Tenn. Cir.
N.D. Texas
S.D. Texas
W.D. Texas
Texas Sup.
16
Personal Injury And Liability In The Auto Industry
Appellee’s 3rd Circuit brief
Appellant’s 3rd Circuit reply brief
District Court opinion granting certification
Opinion and order certifying class
Zwiercan v. General Motors
Order denying class certification ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 134
Motion for class certification
Motion against class certification
Reply brief opposing certification
Order denying summary judgment
Fremaint v. Ford Motor -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 135
Opinion granting summary judgment
Chewning v. Ford Motor
Opinion affirming ‘fraud upon the court’ ruling --------------------------------------------------------- 136
Bridgestone/Firestone, In re
Opinion reversing refusal to dismiss------------------------------------------------------------------------ 138
Trial court order
Gibson v. Chrysler Corp.
Opinion affirming defense verdict -------------------------------------------------------------------------- 139
Flax v. DaimlerChrysler Corp.
Opinion reducing jury award ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 140
Verdict form
Complaint
Winterthur v. Bridgestone/Firestone
Settlement stipulation and order ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 141
Order denying pending motions
Order allowing breach of contract claim
Insurer’s summary judgment motion
Insured’s response
Insured’s partial summary judgment motion
Insurer’s opposition
Insurer’s reply
Insured’s reply
Evans v. Toyota
Brief supporting motion for judgment--------------------------------------------------------------------- 141
Letter from Judge Rainey
Complaint
McManus v. Fleetwood Enterprises, Inc.
Settlement agreement ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 142
Scott v. Volkswagen
Settlement agreement reached ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 143
5th Circuit opinion ordering transfer
Bostrom Seating, Inc. v. Crane Carrier Co.
Opinion holding indemnity not required ----------------------------------------------------------------- 144
Bridgestone/Firestone, Inc., Relator, In re:
Opinion protecting trade secrets ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 145
DaimlerChrysler Corp. v. Hillhouse
Appellant brief on the merits -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 146
Respondent brief on the merits
Appellant reply brief
Petition for review
Response to petition
Reply to response
Opinion reversing plaintiff’s verdict
Personal Injury And Liability In The Auto Industry
Texas App.
Texas Dist.
D. Utah
Mealey’s Executive Summary January 2006
Concurring and dissenting opinion
4th Court en banc opinion
Dissenting opinion
Ford Motor Co. v. Miles
High court denies review ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 147
Ford petition for review
Ford response to Miles petition for review
Ford reply supporting its petition for review
Ford brief on the merits
Ford response to Miles merits brief
Ford reply to response to its merits brief
5th Court opinion reversing plaintiff’s verdict
Ford Motor Co. v. Ridgway
Opinion reversing summary judgment -------------------------------------------------------------------- 148
Concurring opinion
Honda v. Norman
High court denies review ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 149
$65 million judgment reversed
Inman v. DaimlerChrysler Corp.
Petitioner’s merits brief --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 150
Respondents’ merits brief
Bridgestone Corp. v. Lopez
Opinion affirming appearance denial ---------------------------------------------------------------------- 152
Supreme Court order remanding case
Opinion dismissing appeal on remand
Ford Motor Co. v. Sheldon
Opinion voiding class certification ------------------------------------------------------------------------- 153
Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co. v. Rios
Opinion overturning plaintiff verdict ---------------------------------------------------------------------- 154
Nueces County, Texas v. Ford Motor Co.
Opinion affirming denial of costs --------------------------------------------------------------------------- 155
Complaint
Injunction request
Ford’s answer
Courtesy Ford’s answer
Tradewinds’ answer
Motion to remand
Plaintiffs’ supporting brief
Defendants’ opposition brief
Order denying expedited hearing
Ford motion to stay Texas case
Texas plaintiffs’ response to stay
Ford supporting brief on stay
Order granting stay
Praytor v. Ford
Summary judgment affirmed -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 156
Mendoza v. DaimlerChrysler
Settlement agreement reached ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 158
Complaint alleging defective seat belts
Shields v. Bridgestone/Firestone, Inc.
Order approving settlement and judgment --------------------------------------------------------------- 159
Opinion remanding case
Holliday v. Volkswagen of America, Inc.
Order granting final settlement approval ------------------------------------------------------------------ 159
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Mealey’s Executive Summary January 2006
Wash. Super.
Wis. App.
Personal Injury And Liability In The Auto Industry
Complaint about heated seats
Motion to approve settlement and for fees
Magana v. Hyundai Motor America
Opinion reversing plaintiff’s verdict ------------------------------------------------------------------------ 160
Tietsworth v. Harley-Davidson, Inc.
Opinion granting permission to reopen case -------------------------------------------------------------- 161
Original opinion reversing claim revival
Appellate opinion
Documents are available. Visit www.mealeysonline.com or call 1-800-MEALEYS.
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Personal Injury And Liability In The Auto Industry
Mealey’s Executive Summary January 2006
Introduction
Challenging issues face litigators in automotive liability law on both sides of the aisle today more than ever before.
Uncertainties from jurisdiction to jurisdiction abound in the areas of Daubert challenges, choice of forum issues and
the growing number of noninjury cases. State Farm v. Campbell (538 U.S. 408 [2003]) continues to rewrite the landscape of punitive damages and has yet to bring the uniformity that the U.S. Supreme Court might have expected.
Mealey’s editors have been tracking breaking news in these areas and more. Mealey’s Executive Summary: Personal
Injury And Liability In The Auto Industry covers a broad cross-section of some of the more significant developments in this booming field of litigation for 2003-2004, plus up-to-the minute coverage of ongoing cases winding
through the courts during this period. From seat belt defects to air bag nondeployment . . . from suits over the Ford
Explorer-Firestone tire combination to a $349 million rollover verdict for one paralyzed plaintiff . . . from noninjury
cases to those involving a dozen or more lives affected by a single crash — this special report presents them all in an
unbiased light. Both traditional and novel theories of automotive product liability are examined in detail.
The special report features a range of cases in automotive product liability and personal injury law, presenting the opinions, motions and briefs that made a difference in each one. It includes coverage of such landmark cases as Buell-Wilson
v. Ford Motor Co. (No. D045154, Calif. App., 4th Dist., Div. I), in which the parties are tussling over a $150 million
jury award that is still less than half of its original amount. A jury originally awarded Benetta Buell-Wilson, who was
paralyzed in a rollover accident while driving a Ford Explorer, $246 million in punitives on top of $123 million in
compensatory damages before the judge overseeing the case slashed it to $75 million each of compensatory and punitive
damages. Ford continues to dispute the amount awarded as well as the underlying determination of liability.
Shields v. Bridgestone/Firestone, Inc. (No. B-170462, Texas Dist., Jefferson Co.) was another important case in
which Bridgestone/Firestone North American Tire put 30 noninjury class actions away with a single settlement.
Terri Shields and the other plaintiffs had claimed that having the company’s Wilderness ATX tires, which were
linked by federal investigators to hundreds of accidents and deaths, diminished the value of their vehicles. None
of the plaintiffs was in any accident attributed to the tires or suffered any personal injuries. The agreement marks
a significant development in noninjury product liability suits.
Another highlight is the coverage of the Ford Panther Platform multidistrict litigation (In re: Ford Motor Co.
Panther Platform / Fuel Tank Design Products Liability Litigation, MDL No. 1488, N.D. Ohio), in which police
departments and municipalities sued the automaker over alleged design flaws in police vehicles that sparked blazes
when the vehicles were involved in rear-end collisions. Most of the plaintiffs voluntarily dismissed their claims when
at lease one court said Ford need not continue to sell vehicles to entities suing it over the alleged defects in them.
At the end of the report is an article detailing trends in new filings of motor vehicle personal injury cases in federal
courts. The article discusses the 39.3 percent decrease in filings in the U.S. district courts from fiscal year 1988 through
fiscal year 2004. New motor vehicle product liability personal injury case filings decreased by 4.8 percent, while new
motor vehicle personal injury case filings other than product liability claims decreased by 42.3 percent during that time
period. According to statistics gathered from LexisNexis CourtLink, the downward trend continued in 2005.
The article also discusses the concentration of motor vehicle personal injury filings in a few federal districts. In 2005,
the top two districts for motor vehicle product liability personal injury new filings accounted for more than 28
percent of the total new filings of such cases in federal court, and the top 10 districts accounted for more than onehalf. Although the top 10 districts for motor vehicle personal injury new filings other than product liability claims
accounted for almost 40 percent of the total new filings in 2005, the top two districts accounted for only 12 percent
of such filings filings in federal court in 2005. ■
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