Facts

Plaintiff Lupe Zavala filed a class action suit against defendant Takata Corp. and defendant SGS U.S. Testing Company, Inc. under California's Unfair Competition Law.

PLAINTIFF'S CONTENTIONS:
The plaintiff contended defendant failed to test its TK-52 seat belt buckle, which could pop open in a crash. By allegedly representing that the buckles had been tested, defendants misled consumers.

Damages

The plaintiff sought a range of $6.2 million to $31.7 million.

Result

After a three-week trial, Judge Maureen Duff-Lewis tentatively held that the evidence failed to meet California's requirements for a consumer class action under Proposition 64, which required plaintiffs to show an actual injury occurred as a result of the defendant's alleged unfair competition or false advertising. The judge found the TK-52 complied with federal standards, was not prone to "partial engagement," and had been properly tested.