Jury Awards California Woman $23.4 Million for Quadriplegia Injuries
Posted on Mar 10, 2010 12:30pm PST
A California woman who became a quadriplegic after a freeway accident has won her personal injury lawsuit against Ford Motor Co.
The lawsuit stems from an accident that occurred in 2007. Cynthia Castillo claims she lost control of her 1997 Ford Explorer when the tread on one of her left tires began separating as she was driving. Unable to regain control, Castillo veered off the freeway and rolled down an embankment. As a result of the accident, most of Castillo’s body is now paralyzed.
Castillo’s attorney, Brian Brandt, argued that flaws in the vehicle’s design caused Castillo to lose control when the tread separated.
The attorney for Ford claimed the accident was caused by a worn-out tire, but the jury returned their verdict in Castillo’s favor. She has been awarded $24.3 million.
Filing a Product Liability Lawsuit for an Auto Defect
Defects in vehicles are incredibly dangerous, as they can easily cause the car to malfunction, increasing the driver’s chances of getting involved in an accident. If you have suffered a serious or catastrophic injury, like quadriplegia or paraplegia, in an accident caused by a defect with your vehicle, you must speak with a knowledgeable
personal injury attorney about your rights to compensation. You have a long road ahead you, full of doctor visits, medical treatments, and physical therapy. You may also no longer be able to work or take care of yourself independently as a result of your injuries. Let a personal injury attorney help you file a product liability claim against the vehicle manufacturer in an effort to recover the largest possible settlement.