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Suit Filed Against Lexus In Carbon Monoxide Death

One of new high-tech features on Toyota’s luxury car, the Lexus, maybe deadly as well as nifty.  The keyless ignition system is being linked to several carbon monoxide poison deaths when people leave the car running in the garage without knowing it because the engine runs so quietly. 

This is the case in the death of a 79-year-old Queens’ attorney, reports the NY Daily News.  In February 2009, his long time companion parked their new Lexus in the attached garage and accidentally left the engine running.  The next day she was found unconscious on the bedroom floor and he was dead from carbon monoxide poisoning.  Although she survived, she is unable to walk and has difficulty speaking. 

In her lawsuit, she accuses Toyota of failing to install a “shutdown” switch in the cars – which can be turned on or off at the touch of a button.  The switch would turn off the engine when the car is unoccupied or not touched for a certain amount of time.  The problem at this time is the engine continues to run even after the driver leaves the vehicle with the key fob which communicates with the car’s computer.

Another investigation is still underway in Palm Beach County as to whether or not the August carbon-monoxide death of a 29-year-old woman was caused by the Lexus in her garage.

This is just one more problem for Toyota which has had to recall millions of vehicle for other problems such as pedals and accelerators that could stick.  

As a personal injury attorney who is concerned when deaths occur which could have possibly been avoided, I hope Toyota can find a timely “fix” for this latest problem before any more deaths occur.

$175K Awarded In Escaped Race Horse Injury

A Madison County, Illinois, jury has awarded $175,000 to a man injured when race horses escaped from their pasture in 2008, according to the Madison Record. 

According to the lawsuit, the owners did not take proper precautions to keep their horses contained.   The plaintiff claimed the horses came out of nowhere onto Illinois State Road 159 and he saw them strike a mini van that was in front of him.  When he swerved to avoid hitting another horse, he heard a “pop” from his right shoulder and although he refused an ambulance the night of the accident, he sought medical help the following day. 

His lost wages and medical bills have cost him over $59,000. 

The owners of the horse farm have over 40 years experience with horses and this was only the second incident in the farm’s history.  Although they speculated the horses jumped the fence, they never found out how the horses escaped.

$65M Verdict In 2007 Motor Vehicle Crash Upheld By Appeals Court

Considered to be one of the largest in Polk County, the 2^nd District Court of Appeals has upheld a $65 million verdict for a woman injured in a 2007 traffic crash, reports the Lakeland’s ( Florida ) The Ledger. 

In 2007, the 19-year-old was driving her Dodge Neon when she was struck by a tractor-trailer at an intersection.  An eyewitness to the accident testified the young college student had the green light. 

Prior to the accident, she was majoring in psychology, could speak six languages, and was working as an aide for Florida Institute of Neurologic Rehabilitation.  Following the accident, she was left with extensive injuries and is totally unable to care for herself. 

The lawsuit was filed against Bynum Transport and the part-time truck driver who caused the crash.

Claim Of Defective Seats Brings Wrongful Death Lawsuit Against Honda

A lawsuit has been filed in Texas against Honda Motor Co., Ltd. by the parents of a young woman who died in her 2005 Honda Civic in April of this year, reports the Southeast Texas Record. 

The young woman died when she lost control of her car and skidded off the rain slick road. She hit several trees and even though she was wearing a seatbelt, she was killed when her seat collapsed and she was thrown into the back seat. 

The lawsuit claims the Honda Civic violated the principles of crashworthiness by failing to provide adequate restraint and failed to prevent ejection.  It also claims the car was unreasonably dangerous and defective because the collapsing seat exposed the driver to the risk, hazard and danger of ejection.  Honda is accused of not conducting adequate testing and proper engineering analysis.

$132M Awarded In Ford Rollover Crash

A Jasper County (Mississippi) jury has awarded the family of a young man killed in a rollover crash in 2001 $132 million – the largest award ever against Ford in a lawsuit involving a Ford Explorer or a Ford Expedition reports the Clarion-Ledger.

The 22-year-old, a Meridian High School standout and a top New York Mets baseball prospect, was killed in March 2001 when he was thrown from a 2001 Ford Explorer.  He was driving to spring training in Port St. Lucie, Fl., when he veered to avoid a vehicle and the Ford SUV rolled over.  The lawsuit blamed the death on a defective seatbelt and the tendency for that model Ford to rollover.  Ford settled for an undisclosed amount in the punitive-damage phase of the lawsuit. 

A passenger in the Ford Explorer received $1.5 million for the injuries he sustained in the crash. 

Ford’s corporate spokesman stated excessive speed and the fact the victim was not wearing a seat belt caused the young man’s death. 

Last year, the U.S. Supreme Court upheld an $82.6 million verdict awarded to a woman in California who was paralyzed in an Explorer rollover.

At Crouse Law Offices we have vast experience in product liablity and wrongful death.  If you have been injured or have had a loved one  killed due to a defective product, call us at 1-919-861-0500 or contact us online.

Car Crash Wrongful Death Suit Settled For $1.75M

The family of a 14-year -old girl killed in a car crash more than five years ago has settled their wrongful death lawsuit against the family with whom she was visiting for $1.75 million reports the Richmond Times-Dispatch.

When the 14-year-old’s father dropped is daughter at her friend’s house, he specifically told her friend’s mother she was not to ride in an automobile with a juvenile. He told her “no boys with cars” and was told “not to worry.” Later, the mother told the girls to accept a ride home from the movie theater with a young boy, despite knowing he had a reputation for recklessness. During the ride home, the young girl sent her family a text message she feared for her life.

The Virginia Supreme Court stated that although supervising adults can’t be expected to ensure a child’s welfare, they are liable when they fail to act responsibily.

Wrongful death is a death cause by the carelessness of misconduct of another person or organization – including failure to act to avert a death. The experienced Crouse Law Firm is dedicated to helping families of wrongful death victims. For a free legal consultation, call us today at 919-861-0500 or submit an online form.

Supervising Parents Sued In Child’s Wrongful Death

$2.255M To Be Paid By Officer And Bar In Deadly Car Crash

A police officer and the bar which served her will pay a total of $2.255 million for the wrongful death of four and the injuries to another man on March 21, reports St. Louis Today.

The lawsuit claimed the police officer had consumed a “high quantity” of alcohol at O’Leary’s Restaurant and Bar and the employees at the bar knew she was intoxicated and did not stop her from driving or call her a cab. Despite her slurred speech and unsteady walk, the bar continued to serve her alcohol. After leaving the bar, the officer crashed into a Honda with five students from India.

The driver of the car hit by the police officer suffered head injury, fractured rib, liver trauma, lung contusion, and contusions to the skull. His four passengers were killed.

Wrongful death is a death cause by the carelessness of misconduct of another person or organization – including failure to act to avert a death. The experienced Crouse Law Firm is dedicated to helping families of wrongful death victims. For a free legal consultation, call us today at 919-861-0500 or submit an online form.

Drunken Police Officer To In Pay Wrongful Death Lawsuit

Paralyzed Woman Wins $23.4M Against Ford Motor Company

ABC News reports a woman has been awarded $24.3 million by a California jury against Ford Motor Company following a 2007 accident which left her a quadriplegic.

The woman lost control of her Ford Explorer when the tread separated from her rear tire causing her car to roll three times down an embankment. She was left with both of her legs and most of her body paralyzed.

The lawsuit alleged flaws in the 1997 Explorer’s design caused it to lose control when the tire treads separated. Ford argued the accident was caused by worn-out tires.

The jury returned a unanimous verdict for the plaintiff.

Crouse Law Offices have the technical and legal abilities to handle negligence and product liability cases. If you or someone close to you has been injured in a car accident caused by a faulty product, please call Crouse Law at 919-861-0500 or contact us online.