The Real Facts about “Class Action Park”
November 1, 2023According to US News & World Report, a Pennsylvania jury ordered Mitsubishi Motors to pay nearly $977 million in damages to a man who became quadriplegic after a vehicle rollover: the result of an alleged defective seatbelt. Plaintiffs Francis Amagasu, 58, and his wife were awarded $176,551,384 in compensatory damages and $800 million in punitive damages.
At Arlen Law Firm, we take pride in verdicts that keep people safe and force companies to take responsibility for putting profits over people. The outcome in this case brought against Mitsubishi Motor Corporation (MMTOF) is one such verdict.
The Mitsubishi Seatbelt Trial
The Mitsubishi rollover crash occurred on Nov. 11, 2017, in Buckingham Township, Pennsylvania. While wearing his seatbelt in his 1992 Mitsubishi 3000GT, Francis Amagasu lost control when trying to avoid colliding with another vehicle.
Amagasu struck his head on the car roof upon rollover impact, resulting in severe injury; he was later deemed fully quadriplegic as the result of this car crash. His injuries are severe, permanent, and life-altering.
Jurors in the Philadelphia Court of Common Pleas began hearing evidence on Oct. 20, 2023. They deliberated briefly on Oct. 27 before returning a verdict in favor of the plaintiffs.
Why was the Mitsubishi seatbelt defective?
According to plaintiff attorney Kyle Ferrar, the 1992 Mitsubishi 3000GT seatbelt design was one that allowed several inches of slack before locking into place upon impact. This, in conjunction with the 3000GT’s low ceiling, caused the plaintiff to strike his head on the car roof upon rollover impact.
Such an engineering flaw would have been caught with adequate rollover testing—which, the plaintiffs argued, Mitsubishi failed to perform. In conjunction with the design of the car’s low ceiling, the seatbelt posed a serious safety issue. Mitsubishi’s failure to catch this problem resulted in a reckless oversight in consumer protection.
How much was awarded in the Mitsubishi seat belt case?
Jurors in the Philadelphia Court of Common Pleas awarded plaintiffs Francis Amagasu, 58, and his wife $176,551,384 in compensatory damages and $800 million in punitive damages. The total amount awarded was $976,551,384.
Mitsubishi’s Response
Mitsubishi said it was disappointed with the verdict and intended to appeal.
In a statement, Mitsubishi Motors North America called the verdict “egregious,” continuing on to suggest that there were “significant legal and evidentiary issues” to be addressed. “Mitsubishi Motors vehicles are and have been among the safest on the road, having won multiple safety awards to attest to that fact,” the statement continued.
Shortly after this verdict and press release, Mitsubishi published their quarterly Earnings Call Presentation on October 30, 2023. They reported a quarterly revenue of $59 Billion.
Strong Verdicts Mean Safer Roads
Kyle Farrar, a partner at Farrar & Ball and lead attorney on the case, said he believes the verdict would be upheld. Not only is the verdict total in line with the seriousness of his client’s injuries, he reasons, but the ratio of punitive damages to compensatory damages remains on par with U.S. Supreme Court guidance.
Moreover, Farrar believes that this verdict is one that will send a message, not just in regard to consumer protection, but consumer education. “The evidence regarding the defective nature of this seatbelt was overwhelming,” said Farrar, “and not something that the average consumer would ever know about.”
Seatbelts: A Simple Solution to Improving Traffic Safety
When were seatbelts invented?
George Cayley, an English engineer, has been credited with developing the first seatbelt prototype used in air gliders in the mid-19th century. In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, various forms of seating restraints were adapted for use in the nascent auto industry. In the intervening years, seat belt usage has increased in accordance with seat belt laws designed to protect both driver and passenger.
In 1966, the National Traffic and Motor Vehicle Safety Act codified the importance of seatbelts in all commercial and passenger vehicles. In the wake of this legislation—coupled with public education and law enforcement—seat belt use increased by almost 60% from 1981 to 1997. By 1997, all states but New Hampshire had seat belt laws. According to the NHTSA, seat belt usage has been shown to reduce the risk of death by 45% and of serious injury by 50%.
Today’s modern three-point lap belt—now a standard safety feature in virtually all motor vehicles—was invented by Swedish engineer Nils Bohlin in 1959, while he was working for Volvo. Bohlin’s invention significantly improved automotive safety, and has since become a standard safety feature in cars worldwide.
Car manufacturers’ safety standards continue to evolve, but the use of seat belts is here to stay. Seat belt use has become standard in the United States, and is part of national traffic and motor safety protocols worldwide. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration plays a major role in mediating this critical safety feature.
How do seatbelts work?
Seatbelts work by restraining the movement of a vehicle passenger in the event of a sudden stop, collision, or crash. Seatbelts are designed to distribute the force of a collision over the stronger parts of the body, such as the chest, pelvis, and shoulders, reducing the risk of serious injury. They also prevent the possibility of occupants being ejected from the vehicle, which can result in grave injuries.
Seatbelt Safety Features
- Three-Point Restraint: Three-point seat belts, the standard in modern vehicles, consist of a lap belt and a shoulder belt. The lap belt goes over the hips and the shoulder belt goes diagonally across the chest and over the shoulder.
- Pre-tensioners: Located inside the seatbelt buckle, pre-tensioners are devices that tighten the seatbelt instantly in the event of a crash, removing any slack from the belt. This secures the occupant in a position to be optimally protected, and for the airbags to provide maximum protection.
- Load Limiters: Load limiters, also located within the seatbelt mechanism, allow a slight amount of seatbelt webbing to be released during a crash, reducing the pressure on the chest and preventing belt abrasions and internal organ damage resulting from seatbelt restraint.
- Locking Mechanisms: Seatbelts have a locking mechanism that activates during sudden deceleration, including sudden braking and crash impact. This feature prevents the seatbelt from extending further and keeps the occupant securely restrained.
Arlen Law Firms stands for safer roads and stronger communities. If you have been injured in a rollover crash, or defective seat belt injury, we want to hear from you. Contact us today for a free consultation.