Widow sues Ford for Airbag Deployment

[sailsmen]

Fortunately our legal system worked this time and the jury found for Ford. It's ashame such a law suit would be filed and then have to go to a jury.

October 27 -- Zone of blame. Two years ago a former mental patient slew New Jersey state trooper Scott Gonzalez, first ramming his cruiser head-on, then killing him with two shotgun blasts through the car's windshield. So who's his widow suing? The killer's parents; the makers of her husband's police gun, because it briefly jammed after he'd fired seven shots from it; and the Ford Motor Co., because the deployment of its airbags on collision allegedly delayed his exit from the car. (Eric D. Lawrence, "Widow’s suit blames auto, gun makers for cop’s death", Easton, Pa. Express-Times/Lehigh Valley Live, Oct. 26 -- full story). Update Jan. 3, 2004: jury finds for Ford.

[MapleLeafMerc]

It's the same kind of situation as the moron suing Mcdonald's because the coffee was hot. Maybe it's time to introduce a lawsuit penalty, where the jury could not only find the defendant not guilty but also impose a 'frivolous lawsuit' penalty on the accuser.

[MAD-3R]

The McD's case was a case of Them serving a cup WAY to hot, and a dumb lady placing it between her legs.

Both forgot there signs...

[SHERIFF]

I thought the case was about the Crown Victoria doors being jammed shut from the impact, and the officer couldn't get out??? :confused:

[junehhan]

Frivilous moronic lawsuits are just making a mockery of the American judicial system. I also agree about the frivilous lawsuit penalty as well, as I bet it could help stop some of these types of lawsuits. However, the sad thing, is that all you need is a really good lying lawyer, and a really ignorant ass jury. I am glad that Ford won this lawsuit, but all of this crap makes you wonder why the cost of cars continually increase..........

What's really stupid is how the widow is suing the gun manufacturer. A gun is a inanimate object, and was performing as it was supposed to perform when a human behing picks it up and pulls the trigger. But see, that's the thing! Someone has to pull the trigger before it will fire as the gun didn't magically cause the person to pull the trigger. While the death of a law enforcement officer is very tragic, this is adding an insult to a tragedy..........

[RCSignals]

Somehow I doubt the widow came up with these lawsuits by herself. What do you think?

No one likes these frivolous law suits, and I agree they are frivolous, but who makes the decision to bring them, and who decides they should even be heard? There is part of the problem. no?

[sailsmen]

It is my understanding in most cases the Judge does have the ability to dismiss the law suit as not having merit and fine the lawyer for filing it.

It is also my understanding this is rarely done.

In many cases the Judge is elected and receives "support" from the lawyer that is before the court.

I also understand the right of a plaintiff to have their day in court and let a jury of their peers or judge decide.

[junehhan]

On an interesting note, my friend's girlfriend recently slipped and fell in front of a department store up in Columbus breaking her arm in 2 places, and he told me that it was only a couple days after her operation to have the arm fixed, when already a few attorneys contacted her to "see if she was ok!"

[sailsmen]

On Monday a client that owns an Auto repair store had a woman walk around hte back of the building ignoring the employee only signs and fall into a service bay.

She was not a customer and they still have not determined why she was there.

She was taken away by ambulance and released by the hospital on Tuesday. Also on Tuesday my client received by courrier a letter from her attorney advising he is representing her.

Now, thats fast legal representation!

[MAD-3R]

That was planned...

[woaface]

Lawyers and special intrest groups, the 4th system of checks and balances?

[MAD-3R]

A Dublin lawyer died in poverty and many barristers of the city subscribed to
a fund for his funeral. The Lord Chief Justice of Orbury was asked to donate
a shilling. "Only a shilling?" exclaimed the man. "Only a shilling to bury
an attorney? Here's a guinea; go and bury twenty of them."

[RCSignals]

There is no doubt frivolous law suits tie up valuable court time, robbing from serious cases.
Maybe all frivolous cases should be held before one of the TV judges ;)

[martyo]

Originally posted by MapleLeafMerc
It's the same kind of situation as the moron suing Mcdonald's because the coffee was hot.

That suit yielded $600,000.00 to the Plaintiff. How pathetic is that?

[martyo]

Originally posted by RCSignals
No one likes these frivolous law suits, and I agree they are frivolous, but who makes the decision to bring them, and who decides they should even be heard? There is part of the problem. no?

Yes.

[martyo]

Originally posted by MAD-3R
A Dublin lawyer died in poverty and many barristers of the city subscribed to
a fund for his funeral. The Lord Chief Justice of Orbury was asked to donate
a shilling. "Only a shilling?" exclaimed the man. "Only a shilling to bury
an attorney? Here's a guinea; go and bury twenty of them."


Stop that!

I am going back to work now....:alone:

[Ross]

In almost all jurisdictions of which I am aware, judges have the authority to find that a case was brought in a frivolous manner, and to impose sanctions (such as paying the other side's attorneys fees) against the plaintiff and/or his attorney for bringing a frivolous case. The problem is usually finding a judge who will take such an action. I mostly defend products liability cases, and believe me, I see a lot of BS cases. Plaintiff's lawyers know how to get their cases filed in "friendly" courts, and the judges hearing those cases aren't about to punish their friends.

[woaface]

Ross and Marty, I'm not pickin on ya'll. But some lawyers are just too much!

[Ross]

Woaface, believe me, MOST lawyers are too much! Being a lawyer would almost be enjoyable if I didn't have to deal with:

1. judges
2. clients
3. other lawyers

[MAD-3R]

Originally posted by Ross
Woaface, believe me, MOST lawyers are too much! Being a lawyer would almost be enjoyable if I didn't have to deal with:

1. judges
2. clients
3. other lawyers

Work would be great except for all the other people.

Not picking on lawyers, heck I've met a few I would invite to a party!! :)

[Ross]

If there's Guiness at the party, I'll be there!

[woaface]

Originally posted by Ross
Woaface, believe me, MOST lawyers are too much! Being a lawyer would almost be enjoyable if I didn't have to deal with:

1. judges
2. clients
3. other lawyers

LMAO!

[jgc61sr2002]

Ross - No clients = No $

[Ross]

Or, wrong clients equals no money! I'm taking a major financial hit this year because my biggest client is on bad times financially, and owes us tons of money. It's starting to look like real belt tightening time, and I probably won't be seeing all of you in Indy or Bristol. Another reason why I didn't get Kook's headers over Christmas. Oh, well, every year can't be a good one, I guess. The Lord has always provided, and He ain't gonna stop now.

[junehhan]

Originally posted by Ross
If there's Guiness at the party, I'll be there!

What's this thing a lot of you guys have for Guiness? I guess it's an acquired taste of something like that, because it tastes like ass to me, which is why I can't stand it. I have a group of friends who also drink nothing but Guiness and I can't find what's so special about it............

[martyo]

Originally posted by junehhan
Because it tastes like ass to me

I for one don't want to know how you know this.

[junehhan]

Ok, I havn't tasted a rear end before, but that's I guess how it would taste if I did. Then again, i'm not a beer drinker either, so that may be why I just don't like Guiness. I have to admit, I liked how it had an incredibly smooth texture though..........

I guess i'm more of a wine person than a beer person..........