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2006 News Releases
Locke Reynolds Receives Defense Verdict for Ford
INDIANAPOLIS, July 2006 – Eric A. Riegner, Karen M.R. Weber, and Todd A. Croftchik of Locke Reynolds LLP recently received a defense verdict for Ford Motor Company when a Monroe Circuit Court jury returned a verdict in favor of Ford in a restraint case.
Plaintiff was driving a 1993 Ford Tempo with a passive belt system on a country road when he swerved to avoid a head-on collision with another car. Plaintiff, who was wearing his seat belt at the time, then overcorrected and hit another vehicle head-on. As a result of the accident, Plaintiff was rendered an incomplete quadriplegic.
The Plaintiff (6'4” and 160 pounds) alleged the seatbelt system was defectively designed and caused his injuries. Specifically, Plaintiff alleged that the geometry of the system was inadequate for people of his size and that those inadequacies permitted Plaintiff to rotate out of the seat belt and contact the vehicle's roof in the area of the sun visor. At trial, the plaintiff asked for $10 million in damages.
Ford's defense countered the seatbelt system was appropriately designed for a wide range of occupants, and that the system worked perfectly in this accident. Ford also maintained that Plaintiff suffered a rare, but well-documented non-contact fracture of the cervical spine caused solely by the forces of the accident and the resulting inertia of the head. Ford's experts were Dr. Jarrod Carter, Dr. Robert Mendelsohn, Jeff Pearson, and Dr. Robert Piziali. The jury deliberated two hours and fifty minutes after a two-week trial, ruling in favor of Ford.
Plaintiff was represented by Robert Palmer and Mark Brinkmann of Palmer and Oliver, Springfield, Missouri. Plaintiff's experts were David Biss, Dr. Joseph Burton, and Alexander Zhukov.
Mr. Riegner has practiced at Locke Reynolds since 1988. His practice is focused on product liability, commercial, insurance and general tort litigation. Mr. Riegner is a veteran trial lawyer, having secured defense verdicts for his clients in 40 cases tried to verdict. In recognition of his accomplishments, he has been inducted into the American Board of Trial Advocates (ABOTA) and is listed in Outstanding Lawyers of America and Who's Who In Trucking and Insurance Defense Litigation.
Karen M.R. Weber concentrates her practice on the representation of foreign and domestic clients in automotive and child restraint litigation. Her practice also extends to toxic exposure law and general tort litigation. Ms. Weber represents large corporations and small businesses in both state and federal court.
Todd A. Croftchik practices in the Firm's Products Liability Group. He is a trial attorney devoted to nationwide defense of his clients in product, premises and general defense litigation. Prior to joining Locke Reynolds, Mr. Croftchik was an attorney with Cabaniss, Smith, Toole & Wiggins, PL, in Maitland, Fla., where he served as national counsel for Ford Motor Company and defended Walt Disney World in catastrophic loss litigation.
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Contact:
Locke Reynolds LLP
Indianapolis, Indiana
317-237-3800
Fort Wayne, Indiana
260-497-6000
www.locke.com
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