Ford's Appeal Of San Diego Product Liability Verdict Rejected By Supreme Court

The Supreme Court has rejected an appeal by Ford Motor Company against a verdict in favor of a San Diego woman, who was seriously injured during a Ford Explorer rollover accident. According to the Los Angeles Times, the automaker had appealed the $83 million award saying that the vehicle design met federal safety standards

In January 2002, 46-year-old Benita Buell Wilson was driving a Ford explorer on Interstate 8. Wilson swerved when she saw a metal object falling off from a van right ahead of her. Her Explorer flipped over, and rolled 4 times. She sustained serious injuries, and was left paralyzed. Wilson was just one of hundreds of people who were injured nationwide in rollover accidents involving the Ford Explorer. Like hundreds of other injured Ford owners around the country, she and her husband filed a product liability lawsuit against Ford Motor Company.

They argued that the Explorer was susceptible to a rollover, and its design made it more likely to flip over, causing serious injuries and deaths. They also argued that the SUV had a weak roof design. In 2004, Wilson finally received justice. A San Diego jury handed her an award of $364 million. It was one of the largest awards against a manufacturer. The jury awarded one third of the $364 million as compensatory damages to compensate Wilson for her medical expenses, pain and suffering and other damages. The remainder was awarded as punitive damages.

When are Punitive Damages Awarded?

Punitive damages are awarded in exceptional circumstances, where a judge or jury find that the defendant acted in reckless disregard for the safety of others. These damages are also known as exemplary damages, because they are awarded to make an example of the defendant. These are awarded in addition to compensatory damages, which are meant to reimburse the victim for his losses. Punitive damages, on the other hand, are not meant to compensate the plaintiff, but are awarded to punish the defendant, and deter other people or entities from displaying such disregard for other's safety.

Wilson's verdict was subsequently scaled back by a trial judge, and a state appeals court. In 2006, a California appeals court set the verdict at $27.6 million in compensatory damages and $55 million in punitive damages. Ford challenged only the punitive damages, and appealed to the Supreme Court. Now, the Supreme Court has rejected Ford's appeal, letting the $83 million award stand in favor of Wilson.

Ford calls the Supreme Court decision the largest punitive damages award that has been affirmed on appeal in the state's history. The company's lawyers were joined by the US Chamber of Commerce, which urged the Supreme Court to take a "skeptical look" at juries awarding punitive damages to victims to punish manufacturers.

It's only victims of these rollover accidents who understand the significance of the impact these injuries have had on their lives. The Ford rollover crashes left hundreds of people severely injured in rollover accidents, and consulting with California personal injury lawyers. Victims were frequently left with spinal cord injuries, and were partially or completely paralyzed.