$32 Million Verdict in Cooper Tire Product Liability Lawsuit
Cooper Tire & Rubber Co. has been found liable for a minivan rollover caused by a defective tire the company manufactured, according to news reports on the ruling of a Des Moines, Iowa court. In 2007, Assata Karlar, 28, was killed in an accident that also left Ivon Toe, 39, paralyzed. Karlar’s husband, children and estate were awarded $420,000; $1 million; and $649,000 respectively. Toe is to receive $28.4 million and the company must pay another $1.5 million in punitive damages.
Cooper Tire, one of the United States’ largest tire manufacturers, has expressed intention to appeal the case, arguing that the tire was simply not well maintained, and that the driver, who only had a license for one year, was inexperienced. The jurors in the Polk County District Court case disagreed. They voted 7-1 that the tire blowout, which caused the accident, was due to the tread separation that occurred as a result of the tire’s defects that had been present from the design and manufacturing stages.
Tire Defect Accident Lawsuits
Pritzker Olsen product liability attorneys collect a wealth of information for consumers on various defective products and their potential consequences. Car accidents caused by defective tires should not happen, but sadly, they do. Read about how to protect yourself, your family and your vehicle through preventative care and maintenance of tires. You can keep up to date on recent tire recalls on our tire recalls page.
Also, it is up to companies like Cooper to recall tires that may be defective, as the company did in a recent Cooper tire recall. When dangerous products remain on the market and on the road, tragic accidents can happen, like the one involved in this Iowa case. Have you or a loved one been injured as a result of a defective tire or other type of dangerous, defective product? You may have a claim against the product manufacturer.
What to do when injured by a defective product
- Don’t use the product, but keep it, along with any receipts, papers and packaging. This is valuable information in building your case.
- Important information to gather about the product: The manufacturer’s name, model name and number, place and date of purchase and serial number.
- Do not modify or change it in any way to try to make it safer. Store it in a place where no one can accidentally use it.
- Are there any witnesses to your accident? Try to get their names and contact information.
- Remember, you don’t have to discuss the case with anyone, or give any written statements about it. You should not do this until you’ve spoken with an attorney.
Source:
http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601103&sid=aMqqH8qA8F2Y
Tags: Cooper Tire Lawsuit, Faulty Tire Injury Attorney, Product Liability MN, Tire Defect Accident Lawyer
