Facts

The plaintiff alleged that the seat belt, the roof, and the side window glazing in 1999 Hyundai Sonata was defective and negligently designed, causing or contributing to her permanent injuries (quadriplegia) sustained during a rollover crash that occurred near the intersection of Interstate 44 and S.W. 59th Street in Oklahoma City, Okla. on Dec. 19, 2003.

PLAINTIFF'S CONTENTIONS:
The plaintiff claimed that the roof and pillars that support the roof were not designed to withstand the force of accidents, particularly rollovers. The plaintiff also charged that the seat belt was defectively designed so as to allow the buckle to inadvertently or inertially unlatch, allowing the plaintiff's ejection from the vehicle.

The plaintiff further alleged that the side window glazing system was defectively designed in a manner that fails to retain occupants, allowing for plaintiff's ejection from the vehicle.

DEFENDANT'S CONTENTIONS:
The defendants denied that the product was defective or unreasonably dangerous. They maintained that no defect existed and that the vehicle's design complied with all applicable safety standards. The defendants further contended that plaintiff was not wearing her seat belt and that the force of the accident caused her injuries.

Following four days of Daubert hearings before the trial, the defendants successfully precluded the testimony of plaintiffs' seat belt design expert about inadvertent unlatching and the testimony of plaintiffs' roof design expert about testing performed on the Jordan Rollover System (JRS) apparatus.

Damages

The plaintiff claimed more than $10 million for future medical bills and treatment and further alleged loss of enjoyment of life and past and future pain and suffering. Finally, the plaintiff sought damages for the negligent infliction of emotional distress upon her three minor children, who were in the rollover crash and witnessed her injuries.

Result

The jury found in favor of the defendant.

Deliberation

65 minutes

Length

13 days