Ford Motor Company and Sonic Automotive

I. ACCIDENT FACTS:
This accident occurred on September 20, 2001. As Deborah Seliner proceeded northbound on Highway 6 in her 1997 Ford F-150, her vehicle became uncontrollable due to a tire blow out and veered off the paved roadway, flipped over, and came to rest right side up on its tires. During the course of the roll, the driver's door unlatched and opened. As a direct and proximate result of the door's failure to remain closed and latched, Ms. Seliner was ejected, whereafter she made contact with the ground, fractured her neck, and was rendered quadriplegic.

II. LIABILITY:
Plaintiffs alleged that the product defect involved the failure of the doors to stay closed during a foreseeable rollover accident. The driver's side door opened in this case, which created a large portal that allowed ejection. The vehicle is prone to door latch failure due to actuation of the door latch mechanism. This failure mode results from the use of rod (instead of cable) linkage between the door latch and the handle. Plaintiffs alleged that the rod was compressed/shortened during the accident, which released the latch. They further alleged that the door handle contained a manufacturing defect, which utilized a defective spring that did not provide adequate tension on the outside door handle. Such handles have been known to open under minimal forces and result in door openings.

III. DAMAGES
As a result of being ejected from the vehicle, Ms. Seliner suffered a spinal cord injury that rendered her quadriplegic. In particular, the medical records indicated that she suffered a C6-7 subluxation. In her initial hospital stay, she developed postural hypertension and sacral and heel decubitus ulcers. She continued to suffer from multiple medical problems as a result of her injury. Medical expenses were approximately $389,633.79.

Tristin Levi Crow and Lilly Marie Crow, her minor children, sought damages for the loss of parental consortium - that is the positive benefits flowing from the parent's love, affection, protection, emotional support, services, companionship, care, and society. Such damages were suffered both in the past and will be suffered for the balance of their lives.

IV. VEHICLE:
1997 Ford F-150 SuperCab Pickup

V. CASE DISPOSITION:
Case settled for a confidential sum approximately 30 days before trial.

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