(Woodstock) A US jury has returned a $1.7 billion (CAD 2.2 billion) verdict against automaker Ford in a pickup truck crash that claimed the lives of a Georgian couple.
Posted at 4:47 p.m.
Jurors returned the verdict late last week after a years-long civil case involving a roof that plaintiffs’ attorneys said was dangerously faulty on Ford pickup trucks, attorney James Butler Jr. said Sunday.
Melvin and Voncile Hill were killed in April 2014 when their 2002 Ford F-250 flipped over. Their children Kim and Adam Hill were the plaintiffs in the case.
I used to buy Ford trucks. I thought no one would sell a truck with such a low roof. The damn thing is useless in an accident. Might as well drive a convertible.
James Butler Jr.
In closing arguments, attorneys hired by the company defended the actions of Ford and its engineers.
The company has sought to defend itself against accusations “that Ford and its engineers acted willfully and without cause, with a conscious disregard for the safety of people riding in their cars when making these roof strength decisions said defense attorney William Withrow in his closing arguments, according to the court record.
The allegation that Ford was irresponsible and deliberately made decisions that put customers at risk is “simply not” true, another defense attorney, Paul Malek, said in the same closing argument.
Plaintiffs’ attorneys presented evidence of nearly 80 similar crashes involving crushed truck roofs that injured or killed a motorist, Mr.e Butler, Butler Prather LLP, in a statement.
“Other deaths and serious injuries are certain, as millions of these trucks are on the road,” wrote Mr.e Butler, Gerald Davidson, in release.
“An award of punitive damages to hopefully warn people who drive around in the millions of these trucks sold by Ford was the reason the Hill family pushed for a verdict,” Ms.e Butler.