Jury Finds Ford Liable

LA Times ^ | 10/22/05 | Bloomberg News

[CSM]

Link only, per what I am interpreting as our copy write rules.

Bottom line, Ford has been found liable for failing to properly warn the public not to recline in their seats while driving. Oh, and to not prop their feet up on the dashboard and take a nap. For some strange reason, Ford is supposed to make sure people understand that cars don't drive themselves.....

All this to the tune of $16.95 millioin.

[JohnnyZ]

I thought it was to keep Tom Cruise away from my car.

Speaking of not being able to see over the steering wheel ....

[b4its2late]

Appeal!!!!!!!!!

[The Spirit Of Allegiance]

STOP THE PRESSES -- ASK THE MODS TO FIX THE TITLE--
You made an error in naming the plaintiff. Here's the FORD at fault.


TN Rat State Senator Ford - lives with x-wife & girl friend!!
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1327933/posts



(note: SARCASM POST, Mods do NOT change, thanks.)

[Graybeard58]

You can post up to 300 words from the L.A. Times.

[headstamp]

I read about that story where a guy set the cruise control and got up from the driver's seat and went in back. Unbelievable.

[OldFriend]

Your #44.........great idea! LOLOL

[Gone GF]

"I read about that story where a guy set the cruise control and got up from the driver's seat and went in back. Unbelievable."

Sorry, urban legend. Either never happened or it did happen but did NOT result in a lawsuit -- can't remember which.

[Chuck54]

Some folks just aren't meant to drive!

Yes and some people aren't meant to serve on juries.

[Gone GF]

"Also read where Winnebago had to put in a disclaimer stating "Cruise Control does not mean you can get up to make yourself a sandwich!"

According to Snopes, this is an urban legend.

[rockrr]

Or the ones weaving along with their head rested up against the door glass! Makes ya wanna reach over and smack 'em awake!

[Cobra64]

Sounds like an old lady in a Cadillac.

Or an Asian in a Volvo.

[Getsmart64]

Hmmm...the steering wheel is on the wrong side in that vehicle....

[Cobra64]

What they really need is swivel seats so you can turn around and smack the kids.

It's not often that I break out laughing when here on FR. But you got me with that statement! My wife ran into my office to see what I was laughing at. She read your post, and she just rolled her eyes. (different jokes for different folks)

[bmwcyle]

I am sick a having stupid warning labels in my car.

[Cobra64]

No, they should have a boxing glove on a spring for that.

You're both wrong. I just throw 'em in the trunk; and warn 'em not to touch the nitrous bottle.

[Spitzensparkin1]

My old '81 Chevy (conversion) van did that. Front seats would turn around to face the two seats that were in the middle seats. in back was a fold down hide-a- bed couch, ...(nostalgic grin). The front seats reclined to almost horizontal, too. ...Great for a drive-in movie. d;) Spitz'

[CSM]

"You can post up to 300 words from the L.A. Times."

Thanks for the heads up. Here ya go:

---

A Florida jury said Friday that Ford Motor Co. should pay $16.95 million to a 35-year-old woman who was paralyzed when she slid under her seat belt during a collision, her attorney said.

Tami Martin was reclining in the front passenger seat of a 1998 Windstar when it hit another vehicle, injuring her spinal cord, said Robert Langdon, her attorney. He said Ford failed to warn of the dangers of using reclining seats while a vehicle is in motion.

Ford will warn you when your windshield fluid is low, but they won't warn you about this, Langdon said. Ford's sales brochure says the seat reclines, making it great on long trips.

A jury in Jacksonville, Fla., found that Ford didn't properly warn Martin and was responsible for her injuries.

Ford will appeal and expects the verdict to be reversed, spokeswoman Kathleen Vokes said.

This was a tragic accident caused when the driver fell asleep at the wheel and drove into a stationary ambulance, Vokes said in an e-mailed statement. The air bag deployed as it should have, but the passenger was reclined in her seat with her feet resting on the dashboard.

---

[Cobra64]

You mean cruise control isn't like autopilot? I was planning a long trip this weekend and thought I would just set the ol' cruise then climb in the back for a snooze.

I read somewhere about some jerk driving down a highway in his Winnebago motor home. Set the cruise control, went into the back to make coffee. The obvious happpened, and he maroon was awarded $4m in damages and got a NEW Winnie! Un-friggin-believable!

He must have been a Democrat who is Stuck On Stoopid

[wayoverontheright]

Apparently the jurists have no understanding of economics. Corporations are composed of investors and employees. There is no way to punish a corporation without punishing a lot of innocent people. Ford will write their check, and then adjust. This adjustment will cost jobs because it is not always possible to charge customers of the products they sell.

Worse for society, STUPIDITY gets rewarded.

[Cobra64]

Good thing that you're not an engineer.

Tip of the day: Never try to kiss a Great White.