In auto defect news, yesterday a jury in West Valley Superior Court returned a 12-0 verdict ordering Ford Motor Company to pay $23.5 million to an Upland woman rendered quadriplegic following an SUV rollover accident on March 23, 2007. Cythia Castillo, 40, was driving her 1997 Ford Explorer on the 15 Freeway near Murrieta when the tread separated from her left-rear tire.
Castillo lost control of her SUV and the car rolled three times down an embankment off the interstate. Castillo was knocked unconscious and woke up in the hospital. The rollover accident left most of her a quadriplegic, with most of her body paralyzed, and limited arm movement. Castillo, who previously lived in Murrieta with her 9-year-old daughter, was forced to move into her parents' home in Upland. Her daughter assists in her round-the-clock care.
At trial, jurors saw safety memos demonstrating Ford was aware that the Explorer lost control very easily in the absence of rear tire tread. Jurors also saw evidence that engineers discovered ways to improve the safety of the vehicle, but that management turned down the engineers' recommendations.
An attorney for Ford said he didn't feel that the evidence supported the $23.4 million verdict, and that the automaker would appeal the case. Ford initially offered to settle Castillo's case for $1.2 million, the Contra Costa Times reported.
Sources: Contra Costa Times
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