Jury Orders Ford to Pay $6 Million to Paralyzed Man
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Julian Felipe of Hialeah, Florida, was just 17-years-old when the Ford Aerostar van he was riding in rolled over leaving him paralyzed.
Felipe and his family were in Sarasota on a family vacation in 2002 when a tire blew out causing the van to flip. Julian was injured when the roof caved in breaking his neck.
On trial in Fort Lauderdale, the jury decided that Ford knew the tendancy for the van to roll over when a tire blew.
The lawsuit said that Ford failed to make the car safe for passengers knowing there was a defect before placing it on the market.
The $6 million was awarded for the young man's loss of potential income in the future as well as pain and suffering.
The automaker says it is planning an appeal.
The Detroit Free Press has comments below the story that are largely unsympathetic toward the young man and his future.
I wonder when we buy a car, don't we assume the roof will not collapse on our necks if there is a rollover? Are we told that a blown tire will lead to a roll over? Ask youself what responsibility does an automaker have to make a car that protects the inhabitants inside? Why are this commentators so willing to cut some slack to the car company and not the people inside? PS- Your insurance rates will increase whether or not there are successful lawsuits.