Ford Settles SUV Rollover Lawsuit for $21M

San Bernadino, CA: On March 23, 2007, plaintiff Cynthia Castillo, 38, a salesperson at a hardware store, was driving a 1997 Ford Explorer on Interstate 15 in Riverside County when the tread separated on the left rear tire. The rear end of the car fishtailed, causing it to veer right and off the roadway. It then rolled over several times and struck a tree. Castillo sustained serious injuries in the incident resulting in her becoming a quadriplegic requiring a motorized wheelchair.

As a result, Castillon sued Ford Motor Company, the tire manufacturer Micheline North American and tire vendors Jaime Martinez and Alfredo Martinez, who were doing business as Corona Battery & Tire, alleging a design defect in the Ford Explorer.

The jury found that Castillo was 1.5 percent liable, Ford was 91.5 percent liable and Corona Battery & Tire was 7 percent liable. Castillo was awarded $23,441,101. She will recover $21,343,585.55 from Ford.

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Published on Jul-28-10