Auto Defect Cases
Anderson v. General Motors Verdict: $4.9 billion
Christine Spagnoli was an integral member of the trial team in the action against General Motors for defective fuel system that led to burn injuries to four children and two adults. This is amongst the largest products liability verdicts in American judicial history.
Logan v. Ford and Firestone Confidential Settlement
Record settlement achieved on behalf of a family members who were in a Ford Explorer that was in a rollover accident after a Firestone tire suffered a tread separation. The tires were later recalled by Firestone. The Firm participated in groundbreaking depositions of Ford witnesses including former CEO Jacques Nasser and current CEO William Clay Ford, Jr.
Gutierrez v. Isuzu Verdict: $5.3 million
Isuzu Rodeo rollover resulted in seatbelted passenger suffering lower left leg amputation and head injury. Automotive design defect and negligent testing attributed to causing accident.
Balcik v. Isuzu Confidential Settlement
Nurse practitioner suffered severe disfiguring burns after her Isuzu Trooper caught fire when she was rear- ended on the freeway. The gas tank on the Isuzu Trooper was placed in a vulnerable location behind the rear axle without adequate protection in a crash.
Mathews v. Goodyear Confidential Settlement
Brian Mathews, a former LAPD bomb squad officer, was injured in a crash involving his GM Suburban after the failure of a Goodyear Load Range E tire. The tread on the Goodyear tire separated, causing a loss of control and rollover. Mathews was ejected from the vehicle and suffered a spinal cord injury and is now a paraplegic. Discovery in the case led to an investigation by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and as a result Goodyear voluntarily recalled many LRE tires.
De La Torre v. Cooper Tire Company Confidential Settlement
Tire tread separation rollover accident of a Ford truck that involved the death of several people.
Colmanares v. Doe Corporation Settlement: $2.5 million
Wrongful death of two minor children, ages 13 and 15, burned to death in a pick up truck which burst into flames as the result of a defectively designed filler neck and gas cap.
Linares v. General Motors Verdict: $2.5 million
GM found negligent of failure to warn after plaintiff, a furniture mover, suffered severe burns when his supervisor attempted to re-start the vehicle by priming the carburetor with gasoline.
Luu v. Doe Corporation Settlement: $2 million
Action against automaker for defective filler neck system and inadequate welds of unibody frame resulting in severe burn injuries to occupant.
Rapan v. Dorel Juvenile Group, Cosco and Daimler Chrysler Confidential Settlement
Settlement obtained on behalf of a child who suffered a devastating spinal cord injury. Two-and-a-half-year-old Isaiah Rapan was injured in a crash while secured in a Cosco Grand Explorer shield booster seat in the rear seat of his parent's Jeep Cherokee. GB&W attorneys established that the booster seat and the Jeep car seat were poorly designed and caused Isaiah's injuries.
Niley v. General Motors Confidential Settlement
Jessica Niley, a 22-year-old college student, was hit in the face by an air bag in a GM vehicle. The force of the air bag caused debilitating brain injuries that left Jessica in a permanent vegetative state.
Doe Individual v. Doe Corporation Confidential Settlement
Industrial accident involving a brake failure on a loader causing orthopedic injuries to the victim.
Anchetta v.Ford Confidential Settlement
Representing a family that rented a 15-passenger van for a cross-country trip to attend a family gathering. One of the family members died and several others were seriously injured in a rollover of the van.